System and method for centralizing funds to a primary gaming establishment account

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates generally to a system that utilizes a primary or central gaming establishment account to accumulate funds from one or more secondary or peripheral gaming establishment accounts and escrow such funds prior to use.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/348,432, filed on Jun.15, 2021, which is a continuation of, claims the benefit of and priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/850,565, filed on Dec. 21, 2017,the entire contents of which are each incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Gaming machines which provide players awards in primary or base gamesare well known. Gaming machines generally require the player to place ormake a wager to activate the primary or base game. In many of thesegaming machines, the award is based on the player obtaining a winningsymbol or symbol combination and on the amount of the wager. Generally,symbols or symbol combinations which are less likely to occur providehigher awards.

SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a systemincluding A system comprising a gaming establishment componentprocessor, and a gaming establishment component memory device whichstores a plurality of instructions. When executed by the gamingestablishment component processor, the instructions cause the gamingestablishment component processor to for each of a plurality of edgegaming establishment accounts, determine, at designated intervals, if anautomatic gaming establishment account transfer event occurs inassociation with that edge gaming establishment account. When executedby the gaming establishment component processor responsive to theautomatic gaming establishment account transfer event occurring inassociation with one of the edge gaming establishment accounts, theinstructions cause the gaming establishment component processor toautomatically communicate data associated with an amount of funds to beelectronically transferred from that edge gaming establishment accountto a central gaming establishment account, and modify at least one of: abalance of the central gaming establishment account based on the amountof funds being electronically transferred to the central gamingestablishment account, and a balance of that edge gaming establishmentaccount based on the amount of funds being electronically transferredfrom that edge gaming establishment account.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method ofoperating a system including, for each of a plurality of edge gamingestablishment accounts, determining, by a gaming establishment componentprocessor and at designated intervals, if an automatic gamingestablishment account transfer event occurs in association with thatedge gaming establishment account. Responsive to the automatic gamingestablishment account transfer event occurring in association with oneof the edge gaming establishment accounts, the method includes,automatically communicating data associated with an amount of funds tobe electronically transferred from that edge gaming establishmentaccount to a central gaming establishment account, and modifying, by thegaming establishment component processor, at least one of: a balance ofthe central gaming establishment account based on the amount of fundsbeing electronically transferred to the central gaming establishmentaccount, and a balance of that edge gaming establishment account basedon the amount of funds being electronically transferred from that edgegaming establishment account.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is an example configuration of the architecture of a pluralityof different components of the system disclosed herein.

FIG. 1B is a flow chart an example process for operating a system whichperiodically automatically transfers funds from one or more edge gamingestablishment accounts to a central gaming establishment account.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F are example graphical user interfacesdisplayed on a mobile device in connection with actions initiated at amobile device and completed at an EGM.

FIGS. 3A, and 3B are example wireless configurations of the system ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an electronicconfiguration of an example gaming system disclosed herein.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of example alternative embodimentsof the gaming system disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In various embodiments, the system disclosed herein utilizes a primaryor central gaming establishment account to accumulate funds from one ormore secondary or peripheral gaming establishment accounts and escrowsuch funds prior to use. In certain of these embodiments, rather thanfunds remaining indefinitely in one or more secondary or peripheralgaming establishment accounts which are not being actively transactedagainst, upon an automatic gaming establishment account transfer eventassociated with a secondary or peripheral gaming establishment account,the system automatically transfers an amount of funds from the secondaryor peripheral gaming establishment account to the primary or centralgaming establishment account. In certain of these embodiments, whenfunds in one or more secondary or peripheral gaming establishmentaccounts exceeding a threshold amount, upon an automatic gamingestablishment account transfer event associated with a secondary orperipheral gaming establishment account, the system automaticallytransfers an amount of funds from the secondary or peripheral gamingestablishment account to the primary or central gaming establishmentaccount. As more secondary gaming establishment accounts remain inactiveand/or become associated with balances greater than a threshold amountand thus as more automatic gaming establishment account transfer eventsoccur in association with such secondary or peripheral gamingestablishment accounts (and the corresponding automatic transfer offunds from such secondary or peripheral gaming establishment accounts tothe primary or central gaming establishment account), the primary orcentral gaming establishment account becomes a primary or centralrepository for non-cash based and non-physical ticket voucher basedfunds associated with a player or user. Such a configuration ofperiodically sweeping funds from various secondary or peripheral gamingestablishment accounts to a singular primary or central gamingestablishment account enables the system to present a single view of theplayer's funds (or a majority of the player's funds) via a balance ofthe primary or central gaming establishment account. Such aconfiguration of periodically sweeping funds from various secondary orperipheral gaming establishment accounts to a singular primary orcentral gaming establishment account additionally reduces the number ofaccount balance queries associated with the system since most, if notall, funds will reside, by design, in the singular primary or centralgaming establishment account.

In various embodiments, following the automatic transfer and escrow offunds in the singular primary or central gaming establishment account,when an amount of funds is subsequently requested to be transferred to asecondary or peripheral gaming establishment account, if the remainingamount of funds, if any, still residing in the secondary or peripheralgaming establishment account is less than the requested amount of funds,the funds are transferred from the primary or central gamingestablishment account (which has accumulated funds from varioussecondary or peripheral gaming establishment accounts). That is, iffunds are subsequently needed in a various secondary or peripheralgaming establishment account, the funds are likely readily available tobe transferred directly from the primary or central gaming establishmentaccount. Such a configuration of automatically transferring funds fromsecondary accounts to a primary account for a subsequent fund transferlimits the quantity of gaming establishment accounts which need to beaccessed for such a subsequent transfer of funds and thus simplifiesfund transfer transactions. Put differently, utilizing a primary orcentral gaming establishment account as a repository of idle orexcessive funds likely results in only a single fund transfertransaction being necessary against the primary or central gamingestablishment account to satisfy a player's request for funds to asecondary or peripheral gaming establishment account (thus increasingfund transfer system efficiency by reducing the need to request balanceinformation and execute multiple transacts against multiple secondary orperipheral gaming establishment account to obtain the same funding).

In various embodiments, the funds associated with the differentmaintained accounts are accessible via one or more mobile devicesutilizing an application running on the mobile device (and withoututilizing any physical forms of currency or physical ticket vouchersassociated with any forms of currency). Such a configuration expands thecashless/ticketless eco-system of accounts which are accessible via oneor more mobile devices and thus overcomes various security concerns andlabor cost concerns associated with both cash-based gaming, ticketvoucher-based gaming and cash-based retail. Such a configuration furtherreduces the use of paper ticket vouchers (and any ink associated withthe production of such paper ticket vouchers) to reduce the amount ofwaste produced by gaming establishments. Such a reduction in the amountof waste produced by gaming establishments provides an environmentalbenefit of implementing the system disclosed herein.

System Accounts

In various embodiments, the system disclosed herein includes variouscomponents or sub-systems which are each associated with or otherwisemaintain one or more electronic or virtual accounts. As describedherein, the system provides that one of such electronic or virtualaccounts is designated as primary or central account while one or moreof such electronic or virtual accounts are designated as secondary, edgeor peripheral accounts, wherein zero, one or more automatic fundtransfers occur with funds from the secondary, edge or peripheralaccounts to the primary or central account. In these embodiments, thevarious accounts maintained for a user or player collectively form aresort or enterprise account (i.e., a gaming establishment fundmanagement account) for the user. That is, the collection of the primaryor central account associated with or otherwise maintained for a playeror user and the various secondary, edge or peripheral accounts (e.g.,cashless wagering accounts (i.e., cashless wagering wallets) and gamingestablishment retail accounts (i.e., gaming establishment retailwallets)) associated with or otherwise maintained for the player or usercollectively form a resort or enterprise account (i.e., an integratedresort or gaming establishment fund management wallet) which the playeror user may access to transfer funds and/or view balance informationamongst the various accounts associated with or otherwise maintained forthe player or user. As such, the system includes one or more gamingestablishment fund management systems which are each associated with orotherwise maintain one or more gaming establishment fund managementaccounts for a player.

In various embodiments, the system includes one or more cashlesswagering systems which are each associated with or otherwise maintainone or more cashless wagering accounts (i.e., one or more cashlesswagering edge accounts).

In certain embodiments, the system includes a first cashless wageringsystem which maintains a first cashless wagering account (i.e., a firstcashless wagering edge account). In these embodiments, the systemenables a player to utilize a mobile device application running on amobile device to facilitate the electronic transfer of any funds betweenthis first cashless wagering account and an electronic gaming machine(“EGM”), an electronic gaming table, a gaming terminal associated withone or more gaming tables, a kiosk or any suitable gaming establishmentdevice disclosed herein. For example, as seen in FIG. 1A, a centralresort wallet 102 or central enterprise wallet (i.e., a central gamingestablishment fund management account) includes or is otherwise incommunication with a Sports/Mobile Edge Wallet 104 (i.e., a firstcashless wagering edge account maintained by a first cashless wageringsystem) accessible via a mobile device 210 running a mobile deviceapplication as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the system additionally or alternativelyincludes a second cashless wagering system which maintains a secondcashless wagering account (i.e., a second cashless wagering edgeaccount) associated with a physical instrument, such as a player issuedmagnetic striped card. In these embodiments, the system enables a playerto utilize the physical instrument (e.g., via inserting the card into aplayer tracking unit associated with a gaming establishment device) tofacilitate the electronic transfer of any funds between this secondcashless wagering account and an EGM, an electronic gaming table, agaming terminal associated with one or more gaming tables, a kiosk orany suitable gaming establishment device disclosed herein. Continuingwith the example, as seen in FIG. 1A, the central resort wallet 102 orcentral enterprise wallet (i.e., the central gaming establishment fundmanagement account) also includes or is otherwise in communication witha Casino Edge Wallet 106 (i.e., a second cashless wagering edge accountmaintained by a second cashless wagering system) accessible via aphysical instrument, such as a player issued magnetic striped cardassociated with the second cashless wagering system 112 or a mobiledevice associated with the second cashless wagering system.

It should be appreciated that while such cashless wagering accounts areillustrated as being edge accounts of the system, one or more of suchcashless wagering accounts may operate as a central account whichperiodically receives funds automatically transferred from one or moreedge accounts of the system.

In various embodiments, in addition to or an alternative of maintainingone or more cashless wagering accounts via one or more cashless wageringsystems, the system includes one or more gaming establishment retailsystems which each maintain one or more gaming establishment retailaccounts (i.e., gaming establishment retail edge accounts). Such agaming establishment retail account (i.e., a gaming establishment retailwallet) of a gaming establishment retail system integrates with variousretail point-of-sale systems throughout the gaming establishment toenable players to purchase goods and/or services via the player's gamingestablishment retail account. Continuing with this example, as seen inFIG. 1A, the central resort wallet 102 or central enterprise wallet(i.e., the central gaming establishment fund management account) furtherincludes or is otherwise in communication with a Retail Edge Wallet 108(i.e., a gaming establishment retail edge account maintained by a gamingestablishment retail system) accessible via a point-of-sale terminal 114associated with a gaming establishment.

In various embodiments, a gaming establishment retail account is part ofa gaming establishment retail system. In these embodiments, the gamingestablishment retail account is a retail account with a balance or apre-paid access account which, per current regulations from the U.S.Treasury Department Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”),cannot be convertible to cash and can only be used for the purchase ofgoods and/or services. That is, once an amount of funds are deposited ina gaming establishment retail account, certain regulations dictate thatsuch funds cannot be converted back to cashable funds. Accordingly,while an amount of funds deposited in a gaming establishment retailaccount may be used with various retail point-of-sale systems throughoutthe gaming establishment to enable players/users to purchase goodsand/or services (and, as described herein, be used to fund a cashlesswagering account with an amount of non-cashable credits), such fundsdeposited in the gaming establishment retail account cannot be convertedto cash.

In certain embodiments, following the establishment of a gamingestablishment retail account and the funding of the gaming establishmentretail account (as described herein), the player presents a retailwallet identity (i.e., a physical card associated with the gamingestablishment retail account or a mobile device running a mobile deviceapplication associated with the gaming establishment retail account) atan applicable terminal of the point-of-sale system within or otherwiseassociated with the gaming establishment for the purchase of goodsand/or services. The point-of-sale system then communicates with thegaming establishment retail wallet system to confirm that the gamingestablishment retail account has adequate funds for the intendedpurchase. If the gaming establishment retail wallet system confirms thepresence of adequate funds in the gaming establishment retail account,the point-of-sale system authorizes the sale of the goods and/orservices and communicates data to the gaming establishment retail walletsystem to deduct the price of the purchased goods and/or services fromthe gaming establishment retail account. On the other hand, if thegaming establishment retail wallet system indicates that the gamingestablishment retail account lacks adequate funds for the purchase, thepoint-of-sale system denies this sale transaction of the goods and/orservices using the gaming establishment retail account.

It should be appreciated that while such gaming establishment retailaccounts are illustrated as being edge accounts of the system, one ormore of such gaming establishment edge accounts may operate as a centralaccount which periodically receives funds automatically transferred fromone or more edge accounts of the system.

In certain embodiments, the creation of one or more gaming establishmentaccounts occurs via the system enabling a user or player to enroll insuch gaming establishment accounts. In one such embodiment, the systemenables a user or player to enroll or otherwise sign up for a gamingestablishment account via the user picking up an account card, such as aretail account card at various shopping locations throughout the gamingestablishment. In another such embodiment, the system enables a user orplayer to electronically enroll or otherwise sign up for a gamingestablishment account via a mobile application running on a mobiledevice, a point-of-sale terminal, an EGM and/or a kiosk. In another suchembodiment, the system enables a user or player to enroll or otherwisesign up for a gaming establishment account by adding another account,such as a gaming establishment retail account, to their existing playertracking account.

In certain embodiments, the creation of a gaming establishment accountoccurs via the user attempting to use an amount of funds associated withthe user (i.e., funds associated with the user's resort wallet orenterprise wallet) at a site which was not previously associated withthe user's resort wallet or enterprise wallet. In these embodiments,upon the requested use of the funds of the user's resort wallet from acomponent of the system not otherwise linked to or associated with theuser's resort wallet, the system will create a gaming establishmentaccount associated with the requesting component of the system. Forexample, if a user attempts to use funds from their resort wallet at agaming establishment retail location not previously linked to the user'sresort wallet, the system will create a gaming establishment retailaccount for the gaming establishment retail location and associate thecreated gaming establishment retail account with the user's existingresort wallet. Such dynamic account creation provides users or playersenhanced ease of use as they can seamlessly use their existing resortwallet at various new sites or locations within or otherwise associatedwith one or more gaming establishments.

In certain embodiments, the gaming establishment fund management systemis additionally in communication with one or more external fundingsources which maintain one or more external accounts for the player. Forexample, as seen in FIG. 1A, the central resort wallet 102 or centralenterprise wallet (i.e., the central gaming establishment fundmanagement account) is in communication with a network of one or morebanks or other financial institutions (i.e., the banking networks 110)which operate to electronically transfer funds from the player'saccounts maintained as such banks or financial institutions to thecentral gaming establishment fund management system. In certainembodiments, the central gaming establishment fund management account isassociated with one or more external accounts, such as one or morecredit card accounts maintained by one or more financial institutions,one or more debit card accounts maintained by one or more banks orcredit unions, one or more financial institution accounts, such as abrokerage account, maintained by one or more financial institutionsand/or one or more third-party maintained accounts (e.g., one or morePayPal® accounts or Venmo® accounts). It should be appreciated thatwhile illustrated as the central gaming establishment fund managementsystem being in communication with one or more external funding sources,in different embodiments, any component or sub-system described hereincan be in communication with one or more external funding sources.

In certain embodiments (not shown), the gaming establishment fundmanagement system (which maintains the central gaming establishment fundmanagement account or central resort wallet for a player) is incommunication with one or more credit systems which each issue theplayer one or more lines of credit or markers and/or one or more creditreporting/credit risk systems which monitor and report on variousaccounts associated with the player. It should be appreciated that whiledescribed as the gaming establishment fund management system being incommunication with one or more credit systems and/or one or more creditreporting/credit risk systems, in different embodiments, any componentor sub-system described herein can be in communication with one or morecredit systems and/or one or more credit reporting/credit risk systems.

Centralizing Funds to a Designated Account

In various embodiments, as described herein, a plurality of differentaccounts maintained for or otherwise associated with a player includeone or more amounts of funds accessible by the player in response to oneor more actions. In these embodiments, while such funds residing in theedge accounts provide direct access to such funds when the edge accountsare transacted against (and further provide resiliency of access to thefunds in case of a network outage or other malfunction associated withother edge accounts), such funds residing in the edge accounts representan increased demand on the network when the edge accounts are nottransacted against (due to a transaction multiplier effected required bythe system initiating a balance or transfer transaction having to reachout to each account for balance inquiry or a funds transfer from adifferent edge account). For example, while funds residing in a cashlesswagering edge account provide relatively quick and direct access to suchfunds during a gaming session at an EGM (such that a player or user mayrelatively quickly and easily transfer funds back and forth from thecashless wagering edge account and the EGM as described herein), fundsresiding in the cashless wagering edge account when no gaming session isoccurring (or has occurred in a designated amount of time) increase thelevel of stress on the system usage when such funds need to be accessedby another account via increasing the amount of fund data communicatedbetween system components which in turn reduces the speed of the system.Accordingly, the system disclosed herein combines the use of funds heldin one or more edge accounts for relatively limited amounts of time withfunds held in a central account for longer amounts of time.

More specifically, FIG. 1B is a flowchart of an example process ormethod of operating the system of the present disclosure. In variousembodiments, the process is represented by a set of instructions storedin one or more memories and executed by one or more processors. Althoughthe process is described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.1B, many other processes of performing the acts associated with thisillustrated process may be employed. For example, the order of certainof the illustrated blocks or diamonds may be changed, certain of theillustrated blocks or diamonds may be optional, or certain of theillustrated blocks or diamonds may not be employed.

In this example embodiment, upon a gaming establishment account fundingevent, the system funds one or more gaming establishment accounts asindicated in block 150 of FIG. 1B. In certain embodiments, a gamingestablishment account funding event occurs via one or more of thebelow-described mobile device facilitated fund data transfers. Incertain embodiments, a gaming establishment account funding event occursvia a non-mobile device facilitated cash-based fund transfers to agaming establishment account. In certain embodiments, a gamingestablishment account funding event occurs via a non-mobile devicefacilitated ticket voucher-based fund transfer to a gaming establishmentaccount.

Following the funding of one or more gaming establishment accounts, asindicated in diamond 152, for each funded edge gaming establishmentaccount, the system determines, at designated intervals, whether anautomatic gaming establishment account transfer event occurs inassociation with that funded edge gaming establishment account. Forexample, the system employs a suitable sampling rate, such as a samplingrate based on time elapsed, transactions occurring in association withthat edge gaming establishment account or one or more other factors,wherein at each sampling rate interval, the system determines whether anautomatic gaming establishment account transfer event occurred inassociation with that funded edge gaming establishment account.

In certain embodiments, an automatic gaming establishment accounttransfer event occurs in association with an edge gaming establishmentaccount when that edge gaming establishment has remained idle for adesignated period of time. That is, for zero, one or more edge gamingestablishment accounts, such as zero, one or more cashless wagering edgeaccounts and/or zero, one or more gaming establishment retail edgeaccounts, the system determines whether that edge gaming establishmentis being actively transacted against or was actively transacted againstwithin a designated period of time. In these embodiments, an edge gamingestablishment account is transacted against if that edge gamingestablishment account has been involved in any transaction (e.g., fundtransfer) or attempted transaction (e.g., attempted fund transfer)disclosed herein. For example, an edge gaming establishment account isconsidered transacted against if any one or more of: (i) any amount offunds has been transferred to that edge gaming establishment accountfrom another account within a designated period of time, (ii) any amountof funds has been deposited in that edge gaming establishment accountwithin the designated period of time, (iii) any amount of funds has beentransferred out of that edge gaming establishment account (and toanother account) within the designated period of time, and/or (iv) anyamount of funds has been withdrawn from that edge gaming establishmentaccount within the designated period of time.

In certain embodiments, an automatic gaming establishment accounttransfer event occurs in association with an edge gaming establishmentaccount when a balance of that edge gaming establishment exceeds athreshold maximum amount of funds. That is, for zero, one or more edgegaming establishment accounts, such as zero, one or more cashlesswagering edge accounts and/or zero, one or more gaming establishmentretail edge accounts, the system determines whether that edge gamingestablishment currently includes an amount of funds that is greater thana designated or threshold maximum amount of funds associated with thataccount.

In certain embodiments, an automatic gaming establishment accounttransfer event occurs in association with an edge gaming establishmentaccount when a balance of that edge gaming establishment is greater thanzero, but less than a threshold minimum amount of funds. That is, forzero, one or more edge gaming establishment accounts, such as zero, oneor more cashless wagering edge accounts and/or zero, one or more gamingestablishment retail edge accounts, the system determines whether thatedge gaming establishment currently includes an amount of funds that isless than a designated or threshold minimum amount of funds associatedwith that account.

In certain embodiments, different accounts are associated with the samethreshold amount of funds. In certain embodiments, different accountsare associated with different threshold amounts of funds. In suchembodiments, any suitable factor, such as type of account, historicalaccount balances and historical account activity, may determine thethreshold amount of funds for such accounts. For example, a gamingestablishment retail edge account which has been historically beentransacted against for relatively large purchases has a higher maximumthreshold than a gaming establishment retail edge account which has beenhistorically been transacted against for relatively small purchases.

In certain embodiments, different players are associated with the samethreshold amount of funds for one or more accounts maintained for thoseplayers. In certain embodiments, different players are associated withdifferent threshold amounts of funds for one or more accounts maintainedfor those players. In such embodiments, any suitable factor, such as theplayer's wagering history or the player's player tracking status (asobtained via a player tracking system) may determined the thresholdamount of funds for one or more accounts maintained for that player. Forexample, a cashless wagering edge account associated with a first playerwho historically wagers an average first amount of money during anaverage gaming session has a higher maximum threshold than a cashlesswagering edge account associated with a second player who historicallywagers an average lower, second amount of money during an average gamingsession.

In certain embodiments, an automatic gaming establishment accounttransfer event occurs in association with data communicated to and froma gaming establishment system, such as a gaming establishment hotelsystem. In these embodiments, upon the gaming establishment systemcommunicating data to the system that a player's engagement with thegaming establishment has concluded, the system causes an automaticgaming establishment account transfer event to occur in association withone or more edge accounts. For example, when a hotel system notifies thesystem that a player has checked out of the hotel, the system causes anautomatic gaming establishment account transfer event to occur.

In certain embodiments, an automatic gaming establishment accounttransfer event may occur in association with any type of fund or creditheld in an edge gaming establishment account. In certain embodiments, anautomatic gaming establishment account transfer event may occur inassociation with one type of fund or credit held in an edge gamingestablishment account, but may not occur in association with anothertype of fund credit held in the same or a different edge gamingestablishment account. For example, while an automatic gamingestablishment account transfer event may occur in association withmonetary funds held in an edge cashless wagering account, an automaticgaming establishment account transfer may not occur in association withpromotional funds, such as promotional credits, held in an edge gamingestablishment account (i.e., such promotional funds needs to staycoupled to the specific edge gaming establishment account).

In various embodiments, if an automatic gaming establishment accounttransfer event does not occur in association with an edge gamingestablishment account, the system returns to block 152 and continuesdetermining, at designated intervals, whether an automatic gamingestablishment account transfer event occurs in association with thatfunded edge gaming establishment account. Put differently, upon thesystem determining that an account is being actively used (or wasactively used within a designated time period) and/or the balance ofthat account is within an acceptable range of values, the system keepsthe funds in that account and does not initiate any transfer of fundsfrom that account.

On the other hand, if an automatic gaming establishment account transferevent occurs in association with an edge gaming establishment account,the system automatically transfers an amount of funds from that edgegaming establishment account to the central gaming establishment accountas indicated in block 154. In certain embodiments, the systemautomatically transfers the entire amount of funds from that edge gamingestablishment account to the central gaming establishment account. Incertain embodiments, the system automatically transfers less than theentire amount of funds from that edge gaming establishment account tothe central gaming establishment account. In one such embodiment whereinan automatic gaming establishment account transfer event occurs inassociation with a balance of an edge gaming establishment exceeding athreshold maximum amount of funds, the system automatically transfersthe amount which the edge gaming establishment account exceeds thethreshold (or an amount which the edge gaming establishment accountexceeds the threshold plus a designated amount).

In these embodiments, following the determination to automaticallytransfer an amount of funds from an edge gaming establishment account toa central gaming establishment account, the system which maintains theedge gaming establishment account, such as a cashless wagering systemwhich maintains a cashless wagering edge account, updates the edgegaming establishment account associated with the player (to reflect areduction of the determined amount of funds) and communicates anauthorization to the gaming establishment fund management system whichmaintains the central gaming establishment fund management account. Thegaming establishment fund management system then increases a balance ofavailable funds of the central gaming establishment fund managementaccount by the transferred amount of funds. It should be appreciatedthat periodically automatically centralizing part or all of the player'sfunds in the system to a singular central gaming establishment accountenables the system to present a single view of the player's funds (or amajority of the player's funds) via a balance of the central gamingestablishment account as well as reduces the number of account balancequeries associated with the system since most, if not all, funds willreside, by design, in the singular central gaming establishment account.

In various embodiments, following this automatic transfer of funds froman edge account to the central account, the system notifies the playerof this automatic transfer. In certain embodiments, the systemcommunicates a transfer message to the player in any suitable manner,such as through telephone, e-mail, short message service (“SMS”) or textmessages, social media postings or any other suitable medium. In certainembodiments, the mobile device application could vibrate the mobiledevice, or create a sound, which alerts the player to view the mobiledevice application to see the updated balances of the edge and centralaccounts. For example, as seen in FIG. 2A, the mobile device application220 of the mobile device 210 proceeds with displaying a confirmationmessage that $80.00 has been transferred from the cashless wageringaccount to the central resort wallet due to inactivity.

In various embodiments, upon a fund transfer request subsequentlyoccurring in association with an edge account, the system determines ifthe amount of funds, if any, currently associated with that maintainedaccount is sufficient to cover the requested amount of funds asindicated in diamond 156. For example, following the sweeping of fundsfrom a gaming establishment retail edge account maintained for a user,if that user subsequently decides to use a mobile device application tofacilitate a purchase of goods and/or services at a gaming establishmentretail location with funds drawn from the gaming establishment retailedge account, the system determines whether the gaming establishmentretail edge account maintained for the user includes an amount of fundsgreater than or equal to the cost associated with the goods and/orservices. In another example, following the sweeping of funds from acashless wagering edge account maintained for a player, if that playersubsequently decides to use a mobile device application to facilitatethe transfer of funds from the cashless wagering edge account to an EGMfor wagering, the system determines whether the cashless wagering edgeaccount maintained for the player includes an amount of funds greaterthan or equal to the requested amount of funds to be transferred to theEGM. If should be appreciated that while illustrating as occurringfollowing the automatic transfer of funds from one or more edge gamingestablishment accounts, such a fund transfer request may occur inassociation with an edge account independent of any such automatictransfer of funds.

If the system determines that the amount of funds, if any, currentlyassociated with that maintained account is sufficient to cover therequested amount of funds, the system proceeds with utilizing the fundsin the edge account to complete, subject to any restrictions describedherein, the transfer as indicated in block 158 and as described below inrelation to the actions which may be performed utilizing the mobiledevice application.

On the other hand, if the system determines that the amount of funds, ifany, currently associated with that maintained account is not sufficientto cover the requested amount of funds, the system determines whetherthe central gaming establishment account includes an amount of fundssufficient to cover the requested amount of funds as indicated indiamond 160. Put differently, upon an insufficient edge gamingestablishment account fund event occurring, the system first looks tothe central gaming establishment account to fund the requestedtransaction associated with the edge gaming establishment account. Itshould be appreciated that since the system periodically sweeps fundsfrom different edge gaming establishment accounts to the central gamingestablishment account such that the central gaming establishment accountfunctions as a central repository for non-cash based and non-physicalticket voucher based funds associated with a player, the funds arelikely readily available to be transferred directly from the centralgaming establishment account. As such, the establishment of a centralrepository of funds associated with the player increases the probabilityof limiting the quantity of gaming establishment accounts which need tobe accessed for a subsequent transfer of funds to an edge account (thuslimiting various computing stresses placed on the system).

If the system determines that the central gaming establishment accountincludes an amount of funds sufficient to cover the requested amount offunds, then, as indicated in block 162, the system transfers an amountof funds from the central gaming establishment account to the edgegaming establishment account in need of the funds. In one suchembodiment, this transfer occurs automatically. In another suchembodiment, this transfer requires one or more inputs by the player oruser. In these embodiments, the gaming establishment fund managementsystem which maintains the central gaming establishment account updatesthe central gaming establishment account associated with the player (toreflect a reduction of the requested amount of funds) and communicatesan authorization to the system which maintains the edge gamingestablishment account in need of the funds, such as a cashless wageringsystem which maintains a cashless wagering edge account. The systemwhich maintains the edge gaming establishment account in need of thefunds then increases a balance of available funds of the edge gamingestablishment fund account by the transferred amount of funds.

In various embodiments, following this transfer of funds from thecentral account to an edge account, the system notifies the player ofthis transfer. In certain embodiments, the system communicates atransfer message to the player in any suitable manner, such as throughtelephone, e-mail, SMS or text messages, social media postings or anyother suitable medium. In certain embodiments, the mobile deviceapplication could vibrate the mobile device, or create a sound, whichalerts the player to view the mobile device application to see theupdated balances of the edge and central accounts. Following thisnotification, the system proceeds with utilizing the funds in the edgeaccount to complete, subject to any restrictions described herein, thetransfer as indicated in block 158 and as described below in relation tothe actions which may be performed utilizing the mobile deviceapplication.

On the other hand, if the system determines that the central gamingestablishment account does not include an amount of funds sufficient tocover the requested amount of funds, then, as indicated in diamond 164,the system determines in which accounts, if any, the requested amount offunds reside. That is, the system interfaces with the various systemswhich maintain the various edge accounts to determine if an edge accountis currently associated with (or a combination of edge accounts arecollectively currently associated with) the requested amount of funds.

If the system determines that no edge account or combination of edgeaccounts are currently associated with the requested amount of funds,then as indicated in block 166, the system communicates a denial to therequesting gaming establishment device and/or the mobile deviceapplication, wherein the EGM and/or mobile device application display adenial of funds transfer to the player.

On the other hand, if the system determines that an edge account iscurrently associated with (or a combination of edge accounts arecollectively currently associated with) the requested amount of funds,then as indicated in block 168, the system proceeds with communicatingone or more fund requests to one or more edge account systems tocoordinate the funding of the requested amount of funds to therequesting edge account. That is, in the case of the central repositoryaccount lacking adequate funds to transfer to a requesting edge account,the system coordinates with one or more other edge accounts to transferfunds to the requesting edge account. In these embodiments, for each ofthe other edge accounts which transfer an amount of funds to therequesting edge account, the system which maintains that edge accountupdates that edge account (to reflect a reduction of the requestedamount of funds) and communicates an authorization to the system whichmaintains the requesting edge gaming establishment account in need ofthe funds. The system which maintains the edge gaming establishmentaccount in need of the funds then increases a balance of available fundsof that edge gaming establishment fund account by the transferred amountof funds. In various embodiments, following these transfer(s) of fundsfrom one or more edge accounts to the requesting edge account, thesystem notifies the player of this transfer, via a transfer message (asdescribed herein) and/or via the mobile device application alerting theplayer to view the mobile device application to see the updated balancesof the edge accounts (as also described herein). Following thisnotification, the system proceeds with utilizing the funds in the edgeaccount, subject to any restrictions described herein, to complete thetransfer as indicated in block 158 and as described below in relation tothe actions which may be performed utilizing the mobile deviceapplication.

As such, while periodically sweeping funds from various edge gamingestablishment accounts to a singular central gaming establishmentaccount reduces the quantity of fund transfers amongst the edgeaccounts, the system disclosed herein remains operable to coordinate thetransfer of funds between different edge accounts to ensure that if anadequate amount of funds reside in the system, then subject to any otherrestrictions described herein, the system will transfer the necessaryfunds to the necessary accounts to fulfill the request of an amount offunds.

Funding Gaming Establishment Account

In various embodiments, prior to automatically transferring funds fromone or more edge accounts to a central account and prior to utilizing amobile device to facilitate the use or transfer of any funds from agaming establishment account as described herein, an amount of fundsmust first be established or otherwise deposited in a gamingestablishment account, such as a central gaming establishment fundmanagement account, a cashless wagering account and/or a gamingestablishment retail account. In other words, prior to the systemsweeping funds from one or more edge accounts to a central account, anamount of funds must first be deposited in or otherwise transferred tosuch an edge account (i.e., an occurrence of a gaming establishmentaccount funding event).

In certain embodiments, a gaming establishment account is associatedwith a third-party account, such as one or more credit card accounts,one or more debit card accounts and/or one or more third-partymaintained accounts (e.g., one or more PayPal® accounts or Venmo®accounts), from which funds are drawn from to fund the gamingestablishment account. In certain embodiments, the gaming establishmentaccount is associated with a gaming establishment or a group of gamingestablishments, wherein the system enables the player to establish agaming establishment account by a deposit of funds (such as at a kiosk).In other embodiments, the system funds the gaming establishment accountvia a mobile device electronic fund transfer, such using Apple Pay™ orAndroid Pay™. In various embodiments, the system utilizes a mobiledevice running a mobile device application, a kiosk, an EGM and/or agaming establishment interface to facilitate this transfer of funds froma third-party account.

In certain embodiments, the system enables funds to be deposited in agaming establishment account via drawing funds from a gamingestablishment credit system which issues the player a line of credit ormarker. In certain other embodiments, the system includes one or moregaming establishment fund management systems which are each associatedwith or otherwise maintain one or more gaming establishment fundmanagement accounts for a player. In these embodiments, the gamingestablishment fund management system (which maintains a gamingestablishment fund management account for a player) is in communicationwith one or more credit systems which each issue the player one or morelines of credit or markers, wherein prior to the funds drawn from theline of credit being transferred to a gaming establishment account, suchfunds must first be transferred to or otherwise established in thegaming establishment fund management account via one or more lines ofcredits. In various embodiments, the system utilizes a mobile devicerunning a mobile device application, a kiosk, an EGM and/or a gamingestablishment interface to facilitate these transfer(s) of funds fromthe gaming establishment credit system.

In certain embodiments, the system enables funds to be deposited in agaming establishment account via an EGM. In certain embodiments, thesystem enables a player that has an amount of cash to utilize an EGM toconvert the cash to an amount deposited into a gaming establishmentaccount. In other embodiments, the system enables funds to be depositedin a gaming establishment account via an EGM that accepts printed ticketvouchers (i.e., a bearer instrument redeemable for cash or game play onthe EGM). In these embodiments, the system enables a player that has oneor more printed ticket vouchers to utilize an EGM to convert the printedticket voucher to an amount deposited into a gaming establishment.

In certain embodiments, the system enables funds to be deposited in agaming establishment account via a gaming establishment interface, suchas a casino desk. In certain embodiments, the system enables a playerthat has an amount of cash to utilize a gaming establishment interface,such as a casino desk to convert the cash to an amount deposited into agaming establishment account. In other embodiments, the system enablesfunds to be deposited in a gaming establishment account via a gamingestablishment interface that accepts printed ticket vouchers. In theseembodiments, the system enables a player that has one or more printedticket vouchers to utilize a gaming establishment interface to convertthe printed ticket voucher to an amount deposited into a gamingestablishment account.

In certain embodiments, the system enables funds to be deposited in agaming establishment account via a kiosk that accepts money. In certainembodiments, the system enables a player that has an amount of cash toutilize a kiosk to convert the cash to an amount deposited into a gamingestablishment account. In other embodiments, the system enables funds tobe deposited in a gaming establishment account via a kiosk that acceptsprinted ticket vouchers. In these embodiments, the system enables aplayer that has one or more printed ticket vouchers to utilize a kioskto convert the printed ticket voucher to an amount deposited into agaming establishment account.

In certain embodiments, the gaming establishment account is associatedwith funds associated with one or more virtual ticket vouchers. Incertain embodiments, the system enables a player associated with anamount of virtual ticket vouchers to utilize an EGM, a mobile devicerunning an application, a kiosk and/or a gaming establishment interfaceto convert the virtual ticket vouchers to an amount deposited into agaming establishment account. Detailed examples of virtual ticketvouchers and wireless communication protocols associated with suchvirtual ticket vouchers are described in: (i) U.S. Published PatentApplication No. 2013/0023339, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FORPROVIDING SECURE LOGON TO A GAMING MACHINE USING A MOBILE DEVICE”; (ii)U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2014/0162768, entitled “METHODSAND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SECURE LOGON TO A GAMING MACHINE USING AMOBILE DEVICE”; (iii) U.S. Pat. No. 8,956,222, entitled “MOBILE DEVICEINTERFACES AT AN ELECTRONIC GAMING MACHINE”; (iv) U.S. Published PatentApplication No. 2013/0260889, entitled “EMAILING OR TEXTING ASCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN MOBILE DEVICE AND EGM”; (v) U.S. Published PatentApplication No. 2013/0065668, entitled “REDEMPTION OF VIRTUAL TICKETSUSING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE”; (vi) U.S. Patent No. 2014/0121005,entitled “VIRTUAL TICKET-IN AND TICKET-OUT ON A GAMING MACHINE”; (vii)U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2013/0065678, entitled “RETROFITDEVICES FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL TICKET-IN AND TICKET-OUT ON A GAMINGMACHINE”; (viii) U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2013/0065686,entitled “BILL ACCEPTORS AND PRINTERS FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL TICKET-INAND TICKET-OUT ON A GAMING MACHINE”; (ix) U.S. Pat. No. 8,961,306,entitled “FEEDBACK TO PLAYER OF DEVICE CONNECTION STATE”; (x) U.S. Pat.No. 8,613,668, entitled “DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION”; (xi) U.S.Published Patent Application No. 2013/0316808, entitled “METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR ENTERING SENSITIVE DATA FOR AN ELECTRONIC GAMING MACHINEFROM A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE”; (xii) U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,836,entitled “USE OF WIRELESS SIGNAL STRENGTH TO DETERMINE CONNECTION”; and(xiii) U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2014/0248941, entitled“TRANSFER VERIFICATION OF MOBILE PAYMENTS”.

In certain embodiments, the system enables a player to fund the gamingestablishment account independent of the mobile device and independentof the mobile device application. In certain other embodiments, thesystem enables a player to utilize a mobile device running a mobiledevice application to fund the gaming establishment account. Morespecifically and utilizing the example of a kiosk, in one embodiment, toutilize a mobile device and a kiosk to facilitate the funding of agaming establishment account, the player wirelessly pairs or otherwiseconnects a mobile device with a kiosk. In one example embodiment, theplayer moves the mobile device into the range of a wireless receiver ofthe kiosk. The kiosk and the launched or activated mobile deviceapplication of the mobile device negotiate a secure, authenticatedconnection with the proper functionality, versions and securitysettings. It should be appreciated that the kiosk wirelessly connectswith the mobile device running the mobile device application in the sameor similar fashion to how a mobile device is paired or connected with anEGM as described herein.

After connecting the mobile device to the kiosk, the kiosk prompts theplayer to deposit an amount of funds into the kiosk. In one suchembodiment, the kiosk prompts the player to insert one or more billsinto a bill acceptor of the kiosk. In another such embodiment, the kioskadditionally or alternatively prompts the player to deposit a physicalticket voucher (associated with an amount of funds) into the kiosk. Inanother such embodiment, the kiosk additionally or alternatively promptsthe player to deposit a card associated with an external account, suchas a credit card or debit card into the kiosk. In another suchembodiment, the kiosk additionally or alternatively prompts the playerto enter information associated with an external account, such as acredit card account, a PayPal® account, a Venmo® account, or a debitcard account into the kiosk. In another such embodiment, the kioskadditionally or alternatively prompts the player to deposit an amount offunds into the kiosk using a mobile device electronic fund transfer,such using Apple Pay™ or Android Pay™.

In one embodiment, after a first amount of funds is accepted, such asafter a first bill or unit of currency is accepted, by the kiosk, thekiosk and/or the mobile device application enable the player to transferthe deposited amount of funds (e.g., a “Load Phone Now” button) orcontinue to deposit additional amounts of funds with the kiosk. Incertain embodiments, upon receiving an amount of funds from the playerand the player indicating to transfer the deposited amount of funds inassociation with the mobile device application, the kiosk communicateswith one or more servers, such as a gaming establishment retail server,to transfer an amount of money to a gaming establishment account. Inanother such embodiment, upon receiving an amount of funds from theplayer and the player indicating to transfer the deposited amount offunds in association with an account or balance associated with themobile device application, the kiosk communicates with one or moreservers, such as a virtual ticket voucher server, to create a virtualticket voucher associated with the amount of received currency. Thesystem disclosed herein then transfers the created virtual ticketvoucher to the gaming establishment account.

It should be appreciated that while the above example embodiments aredescribed in relation to utilizing a mobile device to facilitate thetransferring one or more amounts of money or units of currency from akiosk to a gaming establishment account, such example embodiments mayalso be used to transfer, either as an isolated transaction or as partof an operation mode of the EGM, one or more amounts of money or unitsof currency from an EGM to a gaming establishment account and/or from agaming establishment interface, such as a casino desk, to a gamingestablishment account.

In certain embodiments, the system includes an automatic reload featurewherein if a gaming establishment account falls below a threshold level,the system automatically transfers an amount from an external account oranother gaming establishment account. It should be appreciated that, incertain embodiments, the system enables the player to enable or disablesuch an automatic reload feature.

Linking Mobile Device to Gaming Establishment Device

In various embodiments, prior to utilizing a mobile device to take oneor more actions, such as accessing funds maintained in one or more ofthe gaming establishment accounts associated with a player or user, apairing or linkage occurs between the mobile device and the gamingestablishment device. The pairing or linkage between the mobile deviceand the gaming establishment device occurs via one or more applicationsbeing run or executed on the mobile device. It should be appreciatedthat while described herein as linking a mobile device to an EGM, suchlinking may additionally or alternatively occur between the mobiledevice and any suitable gaming establishment device located in a gamingestablishment, such as an electronic gaming table, a gaming terminalassociated with one or more gaming tables, or a kiosk which receiveswagers such as wagers on sporting events and/or any suitable gamingestablishment device located in a non-gaming area of a gamingestablishment, such as a point-of-sale terminal located in a retail areaof a gaming establishment.

In certain embodiments, the mobile device application utilized to takeone or more actions, such as transfer funds to and from an EGM, is alocation based digital wallet enabled application, such as aPassbook-enabled or Wallet-enabled application, which is accessible whenthe player enters a gaming establishment. In certain embodiments, themobile device application utilized is downloaded to the mobile devicefrom an application store. In certain embodiments, the mobile deviceapplication utilized is downloaded to the mobile device from one or morewebsites affiliated with the gaming establishment (which are accessibledirectly by the player and/or by a link opened when the player scans aQR code associated with the EGM).

In certain embodiments, after a player has opened an application on amobile device and selected an action to be performed, the systemdetermines if the mobile device application is associated with an activeauthorization token previously created by the system. In theseembodiments, an authorization token is a time-based token which expiresafter a designated period of time and which is associated with anadditional level of player authentication beyond a player's applicationusername and application password.

If the system determines that the application is not associated with anactive authorization token previously created by the system, the mobiledevice application prompts the player to provide identifyinginformation, such as a personal identification number or a biometricidentifier. The mobile device application stores the providedidentifying information as mobile device encrypted data. Following theplayer providing identifying information, the mobile device applicationprompts the player to cause the mobile device to engage the EGM or acomponent of a gaming establishment management system (e.g., a NexGen®player tracking component of an IGT Advantage® system) supported by theEGM cabinet (i.e., a component of the EGM), such as prompting the playerto tap the mobile device to a designated portion of the EGM tocommunicate the identifying information over one or more wirelesscommunication protocols including, but not limited to: Bluetooth™,Bluetooth™ Low Energy (“BLE”), and one or more short range communicationprotocols (e.g., a near field communication (“NFC”) protocol). It shouldbe appreciated that any reference herein to a player tapping the mobiledevice to a designated portion of the EGM (or a component of the EGMsuch as a component of a gaming establishment management systemsupported by the EGM cabinet) may or may not include the player pressinga fingerprint scanner (if the mobile device is equipped with such afingerprint scanner) while concurrently engaging the EGM (or a componentof the EGM). In other embodiments, the mobile device applicationcommunicates the identifying information of the player to averification/authentication server over one or more other wirelesscommunication protocols including, but not limited to: one or morecellular communication standards (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE), or one or moreWi-Fi compatible standards.

In certain embodiments, following the player causing the mobile deviceto engage the EGM (e.g., the player taps the mobile device to a playertracking card reader or other designated location(s) of the EGM), themobile device application communicates, via a wireless communicationprotocol, the provided identifying information and the requested actionto be performed to the EGM (or to a component of a gaming establishmentmanagement system associated with the EGM). For example, upon the playertapping the mobile device to a player tracking card reader or otherdesignated location(s) of the EGM (or otherwise moving the mobile deviceto within a designated distance of the player tracking card read orother designated locations(s) of the EGM), the mobile device applicationsends the identifying information and the requested action to acomponent of a gaming establishment management system supported by theEGM cabinet (i.e., a component of the EGM).

Following the communication of the identifying information and therequested action to the EGM (or a component associated with the EGM),the system determines if the identifying information is valid. Forexample, a designated gaming system component configured to operate witha player tracking system determines whether the identifying informationis valid.

If the system determines that the identifying information is invalid,the system communicates an invalid identifying information response tothe mobile device. For example, an identifying information statusmessage is communicated to the mobile device which reports whether theidentifying information is valid or invalid. The mobile deviceapplication then displays one or more messages regarding the invalididentifying information and prompts the player to provide identifyinginformation, such as a personal identification number or biometricidentifier. In certain such embodiments, if the mobile device receives acommunication that the identifying information is invalid (oralternatively in association with the initial creation of a token) andif the mobile device includes a fingerprint scanner, the mobile deviceapplication prompts the player to press the fingerprint scanner whileengaging the EGM, such as tapping the mobile device to a designatedportion of the EGM.

On the other hand, if the system determines that the identifyinginformation is valid, the system creates an authorization token. Thesystem associates the authorization token with a timestamp of when theauthorization token will expire. In certain embodiments, a cashlesssystem includes a key distribution center which generates a session keyto encrypt all cashless messages. The session key is rotatedperiodically at a configurable rate from 1 hour to 24 hours. In theseembodiments, the system utilizes this session key to sign the token dataand create a token. As such, the token time-to-live will be less than orequal to the session key rotation period. In other embodiments, suchauthorization tokens are managed utilizing software (and not a keydistribution center).

In certain embodiments, the authorization token expires after adesignated period of time as an additional level of security in thetransfer of data, such as fund data, to/from the EGM which isfacilitated the mobile device. Such a designated amount of time which anauthorization token remains valid enables the player to move from oneEGM to another EGM and, as described herein, transfer funds to/from eachEGM and a cashless wagering account, without having to reprovide suchidentifying information each time the player switches EGMs. That is, themobile device application disclosed herein is configured to communicatewith one or more EGMs (without having to reauthenticate itselfrepeatedly) during the designated amount of time which the authorizationtoken remains valid.

Following the creation of an authorization token, the systemcommunicates the created authorization token to the mobile device, suchas via one or more messages including the created authorization token,for storage by the mobile device application and proceeds with executingzero, one or more of the requested actions and communicating a requestedaction response to the mobile device as described herein. For example,upon the creation of the authorization token, a NexGen® player trackingcomponent of an IGT Advantage® system (i.e., component of a gamingestablishment management system supported by the EGM cabinet)communicates the created authorization token to the mobile device andproceeds with executing zero, one or more of the requested actions.

On the other hand, following a determination that the mobile deviceapplication is associated with a previously created and storedauthentication token, the mobile device application prompts the playerto cause the mobile device to engage the EGM, such as prompting theplayer to tap the mobile device to a designated portion of the EGM.

Following the player causing the mobile device to engage the EGM (e.g.,the player taps the mobile device to a player tracking card reader orother designated location(s) of the EGM), the mobile device applicationcommunicates, via a wireless communication protocol, the previouslystored authorization token and the requested action to be performed tothe EGM (or to a component associated with the EGM). For example, uponthe player tapping the mobile device to a player tracking card reader orother designated location(s) of the EGM, the mobile device applicationsends the stored authorization token and the requested action to aNexGen® player tracking component of an IGT Advantage® system (i.e., acomponent of a gaming establishment management system supported by theEGM cabinet).

Following the communication of the stored authorization token and therequested action to the EGM or a component associated with the EGM, thesystem determines if the communicated authorization token is stillvalid. For example, a gaming system component configured to operate witha player tracking system determines whether the authorization token isvalid (i.e., active and non-expired).

If the system determines that the communication authorization token isinvalid, the system communicates an invalid authorization token responseto the mobile device. The mobile device application then displays one ormore messages regarding the invalid authorization token and prompts theplayer to provide identifying information, such as a personalidentification number or a biometric identifier, to obtain anotherauthentication token as described above.

On the other hand, if the system determines that the storedauthorization token is valid, the system proceeds with executing zero,one or more of the requested actions. For example, upon thedetermination that the communicated authorization token is valid, thecomponent of a gaming establishment management system supported by theEGM cabinet proceeds with executing the requested action andcommunicates a requested action response to the mobile device.

In certain embodiments, the system enables a player to interact with theEGM via the mobile device as described herein, without having tocontinually reengage the EGM with the mobile device for each requestedaction. In these embodiments, after initially establishing a secureconnection with the EGM, subsequent interactions between the mobiledevice application and the EGM occur without any subsequent physicalinteraction between the mobile device and the EGM. That is, to avoidhaving the player retrieve the mobile device and repeat the physicaloperation of engaging the EGM with the mobile device, certainembodiments enable the player to execute one or more functions withoutrepeating the above-described physical operation of engaging the EGMwith the mobile device. In certain other embodiments, for eachinteraction or requested action between the EGM and the mobile devicedescribed herein, the system requires the player to reengage the EGMwith the mobile device to reestablish or confirm the pairing between theEGM and the mobile device. In certain other embodiments, for eachinteraction between the EGM and the mobile device that occur adesignated amount of time after the last engagement of the EGM with themobile device, the system requires the player to reengage the EGM withthe mobile device to reestablish or confirm the pairing between the EGMand the mobile device.

Utilizing Paired Mobile Device Application at Gaming EstablishmentDevice

In various embodiments, after pairing the mobile device with a gamingestablishment device, such as an EGM or a component of a gamingestablishment system supported by a cabinet of a gaming establishmentdevice, such as a component of a gaming establishment management system(e.g., a NexGen® player tracking component of an IGT Advantage® system)supported by an EGM cabinet, the mobile device application communicatesone or more requested actions to be performed to the gamingestablishment device. As described herein, such requested actionsgenerally pertain to an action associated with a player account, anaction associated with an initiation of a transfer of non-monetary funds(i.e., non-cashable credits), an action associated with an initiation ofa transfer of monetary funds or an action associated with a transfer ofpromotional credits.

It should be appreciated that while certain data or informationpertaining to one or more of the requested actions are communicated froma gaming establishment device (or a component of a gaming establishmentdevice, such as a component of a gaming establishment management systemsupported by or otherwise located inside the gaming establishmentdevice) to a mobile device, such data or information may additionally oralternatively be communicated: (i) from one or more servers to a mobiledevice via one or more wireless communication protocols, or (ii) from agaming establishment device to one or more servers via one or morewireless communication protocols and then from one or more servers to amobile device via one or more wireless communication protocols.

It should be further appreciated that any functionality or processdescribed herein may be implemented via one or more servers, a gamingestablishment device, one or more components of a gaming establishmentdevice (such as a component of a gaming establishment management systemsupported by or otherwise located inside the gaming establishmentdevice), or a mobile device application. For example, while certain dataor information described herein is explained as being communicated froma gaming establishment device or a component of a gaming establishmentmanagement system supported by or otherwise located inside the gamingestablishment device to a mobile device via one or more wirelesscommunication protocols, such data or information may additionally oralternatively be communicated from one or more servers to a mobiledevice via one or more wireless communication protocols. Accordingly:(i) while certain functions, features or processes are described hereinas being performed by a gaming establishment device, such as an EGM,such functions, features or processes may alternatively be performed byone or more servers, or one or more mobile device applications, or oneor more components of a gaming establishment management system supportedby or otherwise located inside the gaming establishment device), (ii)while certain functions, features or processes are described herein asbeing performed by one or more mobile device applications, suchfunctions, features or processes may alternatively be performed by oneor more servers, or one or more gaming establishment devices, or one ormore components of a gaming establishment management system supported byor otherwise located inside the gaming establishment device, (iii) whilecertain functions, features or processes are described herein as beingperformed by one or more servers, such functions, features or processesmay alternatively be performed by one or more gaming establishmentdevices, or one or more mobile device applications, or one or morecomponents of a gaming establishment management system supported by orotherwise located inside the gaming establishment device, and (iv) whilecertain functions, features or processes are described herein as beingperformed by one or more components of a gaming establishment managementsystem, such functions, features or processes may alternatively beperformed by one or more gaming establishment devices, or one or moremobile device applications, or one or more servers.

While described below as various requested actions being performed inassociation with an EGM, such requested actions may additionally oralternatively be performed in association with any suitable gamingestablishment device located in a gaming establishment, such as anelectronic gaming table, a gaming terminal associated with one or moregaming tables, or a kiosk which receives wagers such as wagers onsporting events and/or any suitable gaming establishment device locatedin a non-gaming area of a gaming establishment, such as a point-of-saleterminal located in a retail area of a gaming establishment.

Player Accounts

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed includes enabling theplayer to log into a casino loyalty account, such as a player trackingaccount, via a wireless communication protocol, utilizing a mobiledevice application executed by a mobile device.

In various embodiments, following the launching of the mobile deviceapplication, such as following the player selecting an image associatedwith an electronic casino loyalty account card stored via a digitalwallet application or following the mobile device application retrievingdata associated with a player loyalty account stored via a digitalwallet application, the mobile device application prompts the player tocause the mobile device to engage the EGM, such as prompting the playerto tap the mobile device to a card reader or other designatedlocation(s) of the EGM. After such engagement (or after the launching ofthe mobile device application if no mobile device to EGM engagement isrequired), the mobile device application communicates, via a wirelesscommunication protocol, player loyalty account data stored by the mobiledevice to the EGM (or a component of the EGM). The EGM proceeds withoperating with a player loyalty system (i.e., a player tracking system)to log the player into the player loyalty account at that EGM. Forexample, as seen in FIG. 2B, the mobile device application 220 of themobile device 210 proceeds with displaying a confirmation message thatthe player is logged into the player loyalty account 230 b. Thereafter,any game play activity is associated with this player loyalty account(just as if the player would have inserted a physical player trackingcard into a player tracking card reader of the EGM).

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed includes enabling theplayer to log out of a casino loyalty account, such as a player trackingaccount, via a wireless communication protocol, utilizing a mobiledevice application executed by a mobile device. For example, as seen inFIG. 2C, the mobile device application 220 of the mobile device 210proceeds with displaying an icon 230 c which enables the player to logout of the player loyalty account. In certain embodiments, uponreceiving one or more “cash out” inputs or “log out” inputs from theplayer, the mobile device application facilitates a logging out of thecasino loyalty account. In certain other embodiments, if the systemdetermines that no activity has occurred for a designated amount oftime, or if the system determines that another player is attempting tolog onto the EGM, the mobile device application facilitates a loggingout of the casino loyalty account. In these embodiments, such loggingout of the casino loyalty account is associated with a termination ofthe player's current gaming session. Specifically, the EGM proceeds withoperating with a player loyalty system (i.e., a player tracking system)to log the player out of the player loyalty account at that EGM tocomplete the player tracking session at the EGM.

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes enabling the player to log into a cashlesswagering account, via a wireless communication protocol, utilizing amobile device application executed by a mobile device. In certain suchembodiments, such as seen in FIG. 2D, following the launching of themobile device application, such as following the player selecting animage associated with an electronic casino loyalty account card storedvia a digital wallet application or following the mobile deviceapplication retrieving data associated with a cashless wagering accountstored via a digital wallet application, the mobile device applicationprompts the player to cause the mobile device to engage the EGM 230 d,such as prompting the player to tap the mobile device to a card readeror other designated location(s) of the EGM. After such engagement (orafter the launching of the mobile device application if no mobile deviceto EGM engagement is required), the mobile device applicationcommunicates, via a wireless communication protocol, player cashlesswagering account data stored by the mobile device to the EGM. The EGMproceeds with operating with the cashless wagering system to log theplayer into a cashless wagering account associated with the player.

In one embodiment, the system determines a balance of the cashlesswagering account (in terms of both cashable credits and/or non-cashablecredits) associated with the player and causes the EGM to communicate,via one or more wireless communication protocols, the determinedcashless wagering account balance to the mobile device. In anotherembodiment, the system determines a balance of the cashless wageringaccount (in terms of cashable credits and/or non-cashable credits)associated with the player and communicates, via one or more wirelesscommunication protocols, the determined cashless wagering accountbalance(s) to the mobile device.

Transfer of Cashable Funds from Cashless Wagering Account to EGM

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes enabling the player to facilitate the transfer ofcashable funds from a cashless wagering account to the EGM utilizing amobile device application executed by a mobile device. In certain suchembodiments, following the launching of the mobile device application,such as following the player selecting an image associated with anelectronic casino loyalty account card stored via a digital walletapplication or following the mobile device application retrieving dataassociated with a cashless wagering account stored via a digital walletapplication, the mobile device application determines an amount of fundsto be transferred from the cashless wagering account to the EGM.

In one embodiment, the mobile device application enables the player toselect an amount of cashable credits to be transferred from a listing ofavailable amounts of funds to be transferred from the cashless wageringaccount to the EGM. For example, as seen in FIG. 2E, the mobile deviceapplication 220 of the mobile device 210 displays a listing ofavailable, selectable amounts of cashable credits to be transferred fromthe cashless wagering account to the EGM 230 e.

In different embodiments, the listing of available amounts to betransferred is previously selected by the player, selected by a gamingestablishment or selected by a third-party. In certain embodiments, themobile device application enables the player, a gaming establishmentand/or a third-party to modify the listing of available amount of funds.In another embodiment, the mobile device application determines thelisting of available amount of funds based on one or morecharacteristics associated with the player, such as the player's prioramounts transferred, the player's wagering history, and/or the player'sstatus. In another embodiment, the mobile device application determinesthe listing of available amount of funds based on one or morecharacteristics associated with the EGM, such as based on thedenomination, game type, minimum bet and/or maximum available wageramount of the EGM. In a first example, if the EGM is a collection of $1poker games, then the listing of available amounts displayed are $40,$80, $120, In a second example, if the EGM is a penny slots game, thenthe listing of available amounts displayed are $20, $40, $60.

In one embodiment, the mobile device application includes more than onelisting of available amounts of cashable funds to be transferred. Inthis embodiment, the mobile device application includes one listing ofavailable amounts for an initial transfer of funds to the EGM for agaming session (i.e., a first listing of amounts to initially establisha credit balance of an EGM) and another listing of available amounts fora subsequent transfer of funds to the EGM for an existing gaming session(i.e., a second listing of amounts to modify a previously establishedcredit balance of the EGM).

In another embodiment, the mobile device application determines adefault amount of cashable funds to be transferred from the cashlesswagering account to the EGM. In one such embodiment, the default amountof funds includes the last amount of funds transferred from the cashlesswagering account to the EGM. In another such embodiment, the defaultamount of funds includes the last amount of funds transferred from theEGM to the cashless wagering account. The mobile device applicationdisplays to the player such a default amount of funds to be transferred.

In different embodiments, the default amount to be transferred ispreviously selected by the player, selected by a gaming establishment orselected by a third-party. In certain embodiments, the mobile deviceapplication enables the player, a gaming establishment and/or athird-party to modify the default amount of funds displayed by themobile device application. In another embodiment, the mobile deviceapplication determines the default amount of funds based on one or morecharacteristics associated with the player, such as the player's prioramounts transferred, the player's wagering history, the player's creditbalance, or the player's status.

In one embodiment, the mobile device application includes more than onedefault amount of cashable funds to be transferred. In this embodiment,the mobile device application includes one default amount for an initialtransfer of funds to the EGM for a gaming session (i.e., a first defaultamount to initially establish a credit balance of an EGM) and anotherdefault amount for a subsequent transfer of funds to the EGM for anexisting gaming session (i.e., a second default amount to modify apreviously established credit balance of the EGM).

In certain embodiments, following the determination of an amount ofcashable funds to be transferred from the cashless wagering account tothe EGM, the mobile device application prompts the player to cause themobile device to engage the EGM, such as prompting the player to tap themobile device to a player tracking card reader or other designatedlocation(s) of the EGM. After such engagement (or after thedetermination of an amount of funds to be transferred if no mobiledevice to EGM engagement is required), the mobile device applicationcommunicates, via a wireless communication protocol, data associatedwith the determined amount of funds to be transferred from the cashlesswagering account to the EGM.

In these embodiments, after the data associated with the determinedamount of funds to be transferred from the cashless wagering account tothe EGM is wirelessly communicated, the EGM proceeds with operating witha cashless wagering system to log the player into a cashless wageringaccount associated with the player (if necessary) and request thedetermined amount of funds to be transferred from the cashless wageringaccount to the EGM.

In another embodiment, rather than prompting the player to engage theEGM with the mobile device and the subsequent engagement of the EGM withthe mobile device, the mobile device application automaticallydetermines to transfer a default amount of funds, such as the lasttransferred amount of funds, from the cashless wagering account to theEGM. In this embodiment, the mobile device application communicates, viaa wireless communication protocol, data associated with the determinedamount of funds to be transferred from the cashless wagering account tothe EGM. The EGM proceeds with operating with a cashless wagering systemto log the player into a cashless wagering account associated with theplayer (if necessary) and request the determined amount of funds to betransferred from the cashless wagering account to the EGM.

Following the EGM requesting the determined amount of cashable funds,the cashless wagering system determines whether to authorize thetransfer of the determined amount of funds. If the cashless wageringsystem determines not to authorize the determined amount of funds, thecashless wagering system communicates a denial to the EGM and/or themobile device application, wherein the EGM and/or mobile deviceapplication display a denial of funds transfer to the player.

On the other hand, if the cashless wagering system determines toauthorize the determined amount of cashable funds, the cashless wageringsystem updates the cashless wagering account associated with the playerand communicates an authorization to the EGM. The cashless wageringsystem reduces a balance of the cashless wagering account by the reducedamount of cashable funds. The EGM proceeds with updating a creditbalance of the EGM to account for the determined amount of funds. Incertain embodiments, the EGM further proceeds with communicating atransfer of cashable funds confirmation to the mobile device, whereinthe mobile device application displays a confirmation of the transfer ofthe amount of cashable funds and/or the updated credit balance of theEGM. Such a transfer amount of funds is available for wagering by theplayer or transferring to a gaming establishment retail account (via thecashless wagering account as described herein).

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes automatically initiating the transfer of cashablefunds from a cashless wagering account to the EGM utilizing the mobiledevice application. In one such embodiment, the gaming system includesan automatic reload feature wherein if a credit balance of the EGM fallsbelow a threshold level, the mobile device automatically initiates atransfer of an amount of funds from the cashless wagering account to theEGM to facilitate additional wagering opportunities. It should beappreciated that, in certain embodiments, the gaming system enables theplayer to enable or disable such an automatic reload feature.

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes enabling the player to transfer funds from avirtual ticket voucher to the EGM utilizing a mobile device applicationexecuted by a mobile device. In certain embodiments, following thelaunching of the mobile device application, such as following the playerselecting an image associated with an electronic casino loyalty accountcard stored via a digital wallet application, the mobile deviceapplication determines an amount of funds to be transferred to the EGMvia the redemption of a virtual ticket voucher.

In these embodiments, the mobile device application displays to theplayer images representing any virtual ticket vouchers associated withthe mobile device. The mobile device application enables the player toselect one or more images representing one or more virtual ticketvouchers associated with the mobile device (i.e., one or more inputsmade at the mobile device). In these embodiments, similar to asdescribed above with respect to the transfer of funds from a cashlesswagering account to an EGM via a mobile device application, followingthe determination of which virtual ticket vouchers are to be transferredfrom the mobile device application to the EGM, the mobile deviceapplication prompts the player to cause the mobile device to engage theEGM. The mobile device application then communicates, via a wirelesscommunication protocol, data associated with the selected virtual ticketvoucher to be transferred. The EGM then communicates with one or moreservers, such as a virtual ticket voucher server, to request theselected virtual ticket voucher (and more specifically the amount offunds associated with the selected virtual ticket voucher) betransferred from to the EGM. The server then determines whether toauthorize the transfer of the selected virtual ticket voucher. If thetransfer of the selected virtual ticket voucher is authorized: (i) theserver updates a database of virtual ticket vouchers to reflect theredemption of the selected virtual ticket voucher, (ii) the EGM proceedswith updating a credit balance of the EGM to account for the amount offunds associated with the selected virtual ticket voucher, (iii) atransfer of funds confirmation is communicated to and displayed by themobile device, and (iv) the amount of funds associated with the selectedvirtual ticket voucher are available for wagering by the player.

In certain other embodiments, following a full or partial depletion of acredit balance of the EGM, the EGM wirelessly communicates with themobile device and queries the mobile device for the presence of anyadditional virtual ticket vouchers associated with the mobile deviceapplication. That is, when the credit balance of the EGM is empty, whenthe credit balance of the EGM has less than an amount of credits torepeat a previous wager, when the credit balance of the EGM has lesscredits than a minimum wager and/or when the credit balance of the EGMis below a designated threshold amount, the EGM communicates with themobile device to determine if the mobile device application isassociated with any additional available virtual ticket vouchers. If noadditional virtual ticket vouchers are available, the EGM prompts theplayer to fund the credit balance of the EGM via another funding avenueas disclosed herein. On the other hand, if at least one virtual ticketvoucher is available, the EGM operates with the mobile device tofacilitate the transfer of such at least one virtual ticket voucher tothe EGM. In one such embodiment, the mobile device applicationcommunicates a listing of available virtual ticket vouchers to the EGM.The EGM proceeds with displaying the listing of available virtual ticketvouchers and enables the player to select, at the EGM, one or more ofthe available virtual ticket vouchers to redeem. If the player selectsone or more of the available virtual ticket vouchers, the EGMcommunicates the player's selection to the mobile device and the mobiledevice application proceeds with facilitating the transfer of suchvirtual ticket vouchers to the EGM as described herein. It should beappreciated that this embodiment enables a player to utilize a mobiledevice to facilitate the transfer funds, such as transfer of fundsassociated with one or more virtual ticket vouchers associated with themobile device, without having to reengage the EGM with the mobiledevice.

In certain other embodiments, following a full or partial depletion of acredit balance of the EGM, the EGM wirelessly communicates with themobile device (or communicates with one or more server which communicatewith the EGM) and queries the mobile device for the presence of anyadditional virtual ticket vouchers associated with the mobile deviceapplication. If no additional virtual ticket vouchers are available, theEGM prompts the player to fund the credit balance of the EGM via anotherfunding avenue as disclosed herein. On the other hand, if at least onevirtual ticket voucher is available, the mobile device applicationproceeds with facilitating the automatic transfer of the at least onevirtual ticket voucher to the EGM as described herein. It should beappreciated that this embodiment enables a player to automaticallytransfer funds, such as transfer of funds associated with one or morevirtual ticket vouchers associated with the mobile device, via themobile device without the player having to reengage the EGM with themobile device and without the player having to prompt either the EGM orthe mobile device application to initiate such a transfer. It should befurther appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the gaming systemenables the player to enable or disable such an automatic “transfer ofvirtual ticket vouchers” feature.

In another embodiment, the EGM periodically communicates information tothe mobile device regarding the status or amount of the credit balanceof the EGM. In one such embodiment, based on this communicatedinformation, the mobile device application determines when to alert theplayer to potentially transfer additional funds to the EGM utilizing themobile device application. For example, the mobile device applicationcould vibrate the mobile device, or create a sound, which alerts theplayer to view the mobile device application and select which additionalfunds to virtually insert into or load on the EGM. In another suchembodiment, based on this communicated information, the mobile deviceapplication determines when to automatically transfer one or moreadditional and available virtual ticket vouchers to the EGM.

Transfer of Cashable Credits from EGM to Cashless Wagering Account

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes enabling the player to transfer cashable fundsfrom an EGM to a cashless wagering account (i.e., an occurrence of agaming establishment account funding event) utilizing a mobile deviceapplication executed by a mobile device. That is, the system of thisdisclosure enables a player to transfer winnings or other unused fundsfrom the EGM to a cashless wagering account in association with themobile device application. In certain such embodiments, following thelaunching of the mobile device application, such as following the playerselecting an image associated with an electronic casino loyalty accountcard stored via a digital wallet application or following the mobiledevice application retrieving data associated with a cashless wageringaccount stored via a digital wallet application, and receiving one ormore “cash out” inputs from the player, the mobile device applicationdetermines an amount of funds to be transferred from the EGM to thecashless wagering account.

In one embodiment, the mobile device application enables the player toselect an amount to be transferred from the EGM to the cashless wageringaccount. In one such embodiment, the mobile device application enablesthe player to select a portion of the credit balance of the EGM (i.e.,less than the entire credit balance) to be transferred from the EGM tothe cashless wagering account. In various examples, the mobile deviceapplication automatically selects an amount of any winnings (i.e., anamount of the credit balance over the initial credit balance), an amountof winnings over a designated amount, an amount of a last win (i.e., anaward amount associated with the last played game) or an amount of alast win over a designated amount (i.e., an award amount associated withthe last played game over a designated award amount) to be transferredfrom the EGM to the cashless wagering account. In another embodiment,the mobile device application determines to transfer the credit balanceof the EGM from the EGM to the cashless wagering account.

In certain embodiments, following the determination of an amount ofcashable funds to be transferred from the EGM to the cashless wageringaccount, the mobile device application prompts the player to cause themobile device to engage the EGM, such as prompting the player to tap themobile device to a player tracking card reader or other designatedlocation(s) of the EGM.

In certain other embodiments, the system determines to facilitate thetransfer of cashable funds from the EGM to the cashless wagering account(i.e., an occurrence of a gaming establishment account funding event)independent of any input by the player and/or independent of anyengagement between the mobile device and the EGM. In one suchembodiment, if the system determines that no activity has occurred for adesignated amount of time, as a precautionary measure, the systemtransfers the credit balance of the EGM from the EGM to the cashlesswagering account used to transfer funds to the EGM. In anotherembodiment, if the system determines that another player is attemptingto log onto the EGM, as a precautionary measure, the system transfersthe credit balance of the EGM from the EGM to the cashless wageringaccount used to transfer funds to the EGM. Such transfers of the creditbalance to the cashless wagering account is associated with atermination of the player's current gaming session.

After any engagement between the mobile device and the EGM (or after thedetermination of an amount of funds to be transferred if no mobiledevice to EGM engagement is required), the mobile device applicationcommunicates, via a wireless communication protocol, data associatedwith the determined amount of cashable funds to be transferred from theEGM to the cashless wagering account. The EGM proceeds with operatingwith a cashless wagering system to log the player into a cashlesswagering account associated with the player (or confirm that the playerremains logged into the cashless wagering account) and request thedetermined amount of funds to be transferred from the EGM to thecashless wagering account. Following such a request, the EGM proceedswith updating a credit balance of the EGM to account for the determinedamount of cashable funds transferred from the EGM to the cashlesswagering account. The cashless wagering system additionally updates thecashless wagering account associated with the player (i.e., the cashlesswagering system adds the determined amount of cashable funds to thecashless wagering account) and communicates a confirmation to the EGM.The EGM further proceeds with communicating a transfer of fundsconfirmation to the mobile device, wherein the mobile device applicationdisplays a confirmation of the transfer of the amount of funds and/orthe updated credit balance of the EGM. Such a transferred amount offunds is available in the player's cashless wagering account to betransferred to another EGM or transferred to a gaming establishmentretail account as described here.

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes automatically initiating a transfer of funds fromthe EGM to a cashless wagering account (i.e., an occurrence of a gamingestablishment account funding event) utilizing the mobile deviceapplication. In one such embodiment, the gaming system includes anautomatic “cash out” feature wherein if a credit balance of the EGMreaches above a threshold level, following a player's input at the EGMto confirm this transfer, the mobile device automatically transfers anamount of funds from the EGM to the cashless wagering account. Such anautomatic “cash out” feature is associated with a termination of theplayer's current gaming session. It should be appreciated that, incertain embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to enable ordisable such an automatic “cash out” feature.

It should be appreciated that the mobile device facilitated fund datatransfers of the present disclosure may occur in addition to or as analternative from cash-based fund transfers and/or ticket voucher-basedfund transfers. In one such embodiment, an EGM of the present disclosureis funded via any of a mobile device facilitated fund transfer, acash-based fund transfer or a ticket voucher-based fund transfer. Inanother embodiment, a credit balance of an EGM of the present disclosureis cashed out via any of a mobile device facilitated fund transfer, acash-based fund transfer or a ticket voucher-based fund transfer. Inanother embodiment, an EGM of the present disclosure is funded via amobile device facilitated fund transfer or a cash-based fund transfer(but is not funded via any ticket voucher-based fund transfer). Inanother embodiment, a credit balance of an EGM of the present disclosureis cashed out via a mobile device facilitated fund transfer or acash-based fund transfer (but is not cashed out via any ticketvoucher-based fund transfer). In another embodiment, an EGM of thepresent disclosure is funded via a mobile device facilitated fundtransfer or a ticket voucher-based fund transfer (but is not funded viaany cash-based fund transfer). In another embodiment, a credit balanceof an EGM of the present disclosure is cashed out via a mobile devicefacilitated fund transfer or a ticket voucher-based fund transfer (butis not cashed out via any cash-based fund transfer). In anotherembodiment, an EGM of the present disclosure is funded via a mobiledevice facilitated fund transfer (but is not funded via a cash-basedfund transfer nor a ticket voucher-based fund transfer). In anotherembodiment, a credit balance of an EGM of the present disclosure iscashed out via a mobile device facilitated fund transfer (but is notcashed out via a cash-based fund transfer nor a ticket voucher-basedfund transfer).

Transfer of Funds Between External Account and Gaming EstablishmentAccount

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes enabling the player to transfer funds from anexternal account, authorizing any establishment of a line of credit (ifthe funds to be transferred from the external funding source whichmaintains the external account takes more than a designated period oftime) and/or drawing upon a line of credit. Put differently, facilitatedby the mobile device application, the system enables the player to fundone or more accounts (i.e., an occurrence of a gaming establishmentaccount funding event) from one or more external sources and access oneor more lines of credits based on the establishment and drawing down ofa line of credit.

In certain embodiments, the cashless wagering account is associated withone or more external accounts, such as one or more credit card accounts,one or more debit card accounts and/or one or more third-partymaintained accounts (e.g., one or more PayPal® accounts or Venmo®accounts). In certain such embodiments, the gaming system enables aplayer to transfer an amount of funds to such an external account. Forexample, after a player utilizes the mobile device application to “cashout” an amount of winnings or unused funds from the EGM and after theplayer has confirmed this “cash out” via one or more inputs made at theEGM, the system enables the player to proceed with transferring, part orall of the amount of winnings or unused funds to one or more externalaccounts.

Transfer of Funds Between Different Gaming Establishment Accounts

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes enabling the player to transfer funds betweendifferent accounts utilizing a mobile device application executed by amobile device. That is, in addition to establishing an amount of fundsin one or more accounts of the system as described herein, the systemdisclosed enables funds to be transferred between different componentswithin the system (i.e., an occurrence of a gaming establishment accountfunding event). Put differently, after an amount of funds are depositedfrom a funding source into a maintained account, the system enables suchfunds to be subsequently transferred to another account or destinationwithin the system.

In these embodiments, following the player's decision to transfer anamount of funds from a first account or balance associated with a firstsystem component to a second account or balance associated with a secondsystem component, the system determines whether to authorize thetransfer of the determined amount of funds. If the system determines notto authorize the determined amount of funds, the system communicates adenial of fund transfer to the player. On the other hand, if the systemdetermines to authorize the determined amount of funds, the first systemcomponent updates the first account (to reflect a reduction of thedetermined amount of funds) and communicates an authorization to thesecond system component. The second system component then increases abalance of available funds of the second account or balance by thetransferred amount of funds.

In certain embodiments, the system utilizes a mobile device tofacilitate the transfer of funds from a cashless wagering account to agaming establishment retail account. In these embodiments, the transferof funds from the cashless wagering account to the gaming establishmentretail account occurs via one or more applications being run or executedon the mobile device. That is, in addition to the other actionsdisclosed herein (e.g., utilizing the mobile device application tofacilitate the transfer of funds from the cashless wagering account tothe EGM), to be performed which may be selected via the mobile deviceapplication, the mobile device application enables the player to requestthat an amount of funds be transferred from the cashless wageringaccount to the gaming establishment retail account.

It should be appreciated that in various embodiments the system limitsthe transfer of funds from a cashless wagering account to a gamingestablishment retail account to funds that can be redeemed for cash,such as cashable credits and/or non-restricted promotional credits. Thatis, to prevent a player from improperly converting non-cashable creditsheld in a cashless wagering account to products and/or services, thesystem enables the player to utilize cashable credits (i.e., creditsthat can be directly converted to cash) to load funds from theircashless wagering account to their gaming establishment retail account(which are then usable for goods and/or services, but not otherwiseredeemable for cash). In certain embodiments, this configurationprovides just-in-time funding of the gaming establishment retail accountto enable the player to make purchases at different point-of-salelocations associated with the gaming establishment retail network.

Following the player's decision to transfer an amount of funds (in theform of cashable credits) from a cashless wagering account to a gamingestablishment retail account, the cashless wagering system determineswhether to authorize the transfer of the determined amount of funds. Ifthe cashless wagering system determines not to authorize the determinedamount of funds, the cashless wagering system communicates a denial tothe mobile device application, wherein the mobile device applicationdisplays a denial of fund transfer to the player.

On the other hand, if the cashless wagering system determines toauthorize the determined amount of funds, the cashless wagering systemupdates the cashless wagering account associated with the player (toreflect a reduction of the determined amount of cashable funds) andcommunicates an authorization to the gaming establishment retail system.The gaming establishment retail system then increases a balance ofavailable funds of the gaming establishment retail account by thetransferred amount of funds. The mobile device application proceeds withdisplaying an updated gaming establishment retail account balance aswell as an updated cashless wagering account balance.

In certain embodiments, the system includes an automatic reload featurewherein if a gaming establishment retail account falls below a thresholdlevel, the system automatically transfers an amount from the externalaccount, the cashless wagering account and/or the gaming establishmentaccount to the gaming establishment retail account. It should beappreciated that, in certain embodiments, the system enables the playerto enable or disable such an automatic reload feature.

In certain embodiments, the system utilizes a mobile device tofacilitate the transfer of funds from a gaming establishment retailaccount to a cashless wagering account. In these embodiments, thetransfer of funds from a gaming establishment retail account to acashless wagering account occurs utilizing one or more inputs receivedvia the mobile device application and one or more inputs received viathe EGM.

In various embodiments, the mobile device application utilized totransfer funds between a gaming establishment retail account and acashless wagering account is associated with the gaming establishmentretail account and the cashless wagering account, such that the playermay view the balances of at least these accounts via the mobile deviceapplication.

In various embodiments, the mobile device application enables the playerto request that an amount of funds be transferred from the gamingestablishment retail account to the cashless wagering account. It shouldbe appreciated that since the balance of funds in the gamingestablishment retail account cannot be converted to cash, the systemtransfers any funds from the gaming establishment retail account to thecashless wagering account as non-cashable credits. As described herein,such non-cashable credits may be subsequently transferred to the EGM(and usable to play one or more wagering games on the EGM), but suchnon-cashable credits may not be otherwise directly redeemable for cash(however any winnings from any games played funded by such non-cashablecredits are redeemable for cash). In certain scenarios, the conversionof an amount of non-cashable funds from a gaming establishment retailaccount to an amount of non-cashable credits of a cashless wageringaccount is effectively providing that an amount of non-cashable fundsfrom a gaming establishment retail account is being used to purchase aquantity of pre-paid plays. In different embodiments, these pre-paidplays are of one or more wagering games of an EGM, one or moreplacements of one or more sports wagers on one or more sporting events,one or more wagering games of a mobile device and/or one or more tablegames occurring at a gaming table. It should thus be appreciated thatwhile described herein predominantly as a player placing wagers at anEGM, the present disclosure also applies to wagers placed by the playerat a gaming table, such as an electronic gaming table, wagers placed bya player at a gaming terminal associated with one or more gaming tables,wagers placed by a player on a mobile device, wagers placed by a playeron one or more sporting events, and/or any applicable wagers placed viaany applicable wagering device associated with the system.

Following the player's decision to transfer an amount of funds (in theform of non-cashable credits) from a gaming establishment retail accountto a cashless wagering account, the gaming establishment retail systemdetermines whether to authorize the transfer of the determined amount offunds. If the gaming establishment retail system determines not toauthorize the determined amount of funds, the gaming establishmentretail system communicates a denial to the mobile device application,wherein the mobile device application display a denial of funds transferto the player.

On the other hand, if the gaming establishment retail system determinesto authorize the determined amount of funds, the gaming establishmentretail system updates the gaming establishment retail account associatedwith the player (to reflect a reduction of the determined amount offunds) and communicates an authorization to the cashless wageringsystem. The cashless wagering system increases a balance of non-cashablecredits of the cashless wagering account by the transferred amount offunds. The mobile device application proceeds with displaying an updatedgaming establishment retail account balance as well as an updatedcashless wagering account balance.

Accordingly, the utilization of a mobile device to facilitate thetransfer of funds from a gaming establishment retail account to acashless wagering account provides a player an otherwise uninterruptedgaming experience and thus increases the player's satisfaction withtheir time spent at the gaming establishment. That is, rather thanhaving to carry cash and/or ticket vouchers (which may be lost or stolenand which are associated with various costs to a gaming establishment)between the gaming establishment's retail space and the gamingestablishment's gaming space, the system enables a player to simplycarry their mobile device which has access to funds to be used in boththe gaming establishment's retail space and the gaming establishment'sgaming space. Moreover, since certain regulations provide that fundswhich reside in a cashless wagering account are frozen if wagers are notplaced using that cashless wagering account within a sixteen monthperiod, the utilization of a gaming establishment retail account (whichdo not have the same time-based restrictions) to hold the funds coupledwith the seamless, mobile facilitated transfer of such funds from thegaming establishment retail account to the cashless wagering accountovercomes certain player's concerns of having their funds frozen due toinactivity.

In certain embodiments, the system provides one or more incentives to aplayer for utilizing the mobile device facilitated transfer of fundsfrom a gaming establishment retail account to a cashless wageringaccount. In these embodiments, if a gaming establishment retail accountincentive triggering event occurs in association with the mobile devicefacilitated transfer of funds from a gaming establishment retail accountto a cashless wagering account, the system provides one or moreincentives to the player, such as a good, a service or a modification toone or more aspects of the player's gaming session. For example, forevery $100 of non-cashable credits transferred from a gamingestablishment retail account to a cashless wagering account, the systemadds $20 of promotional credits to the cashless wagering account. Such aconfiguration encourages the use of the mobile device facilitatedtransfer of funds from a gaming establishment retail account to acashless wagering account as described herein.

Transfer of Non-Cashable Funds from Cashless Wagering Account to EGM

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes transferring non-cashable credits to the EGMutilizing a mobile device application executed by a mobile device. Incertain such embodiments, following the launching of the mobile deviceapplication, such as following the player selecting an image associatedwith an electronic casino loyalty account card stored via a digitalwallet application or following the mobile device application retrievingdata associated with a cashless wagering account stored via a digitalwallet application, the mobile device application determines an amountof non-cashable funds to be transferred from the cashless wageringaccount to the EGM.

In one embodiment, the mobile device application enables the player toselect to transfer the amount of non-cashable credits from the cashlesswagering account to the EGM. In one embodiment, the mobile deviceapplication enables the player to select an amount of non-cashablecredits to be transferred from a listing of available amounts of fundsto be transferred from the cashless wagering account to the EGM.

In different embodiments, the listing of available amounts ofnon-cashable credits to be transferred is previously selected by theplayer, selected by a gaming establishment or selected by a third-party.In certain embodiments, the mobile device application enables theplayer, a gaming establishment and/or a third-party to modify thelisting of available amounts of non-cashable funds. In anotherembodiment, the mobile device application determines the listing ofavailable amount of funds based on one or more characteristicsassociated with the player, such as the player's prior amountstransferred, the player's wagering history, and/or the player's status.In another embodiment, the mobile device application determines thelisting of available amount of funds based on one or morecharacteristics associated with the EGM, such as based on thedenomination, game type, minimum bet and/or maximum available wageramount of the EGM.

In one embodiment, the mobile device application includes more than onelisting of available amounts of non-cashable funds to be transferred. Inthis embodiment, the mobile device application includes one listing ofavailable amounts for an initial transfer of funds to the EGM for agaming session (i.e., a first listing of amounts to initially establisha credit balance of an EGM) and another listing of available amounts fora subsequent transfer of funds to the EGM for an existing gaming session(i.e., a second listing of amounts to modify a previously establishedcredit balance of the EGM).

In another embodiment, the mobile device application determines adefault amount of non-cashable funds to be transferred from the cashlesswagering account to the EGM. In one such embodiment, the default amountof funds includes the last amount of funds transferred from the cashlesswagering account to the EGM. In another such embodiment, the defaultamount of funds includes the last amount of funds transferred from theEGM to the cashless wagering account. The mobile device applicationdisplays to the player such a default amount of funds to be transferred.

In different embodiments, the default amount to be transferred ispreviously selected by the player, selected by a gaming establishment orselected by a third-party. In certain embodiments, the mobile deviceapplication enables the player, a gaming establishment and/or athird-party to modify the default amount of non-cashable funds displayedby the mobile device application. In another embodiment, the mobiledevice application determines the default amount of funds based on oneor more characteristics associated with the player, such as the player'sprior amounts transferred, the player's wagering history, the player'scredit balance, or the player's status.

In one embodiment, the mobile device application includes more than onedefault amount of non-cashable funds to be transferred. In thisembodiment, the mobile device application includes one default amountfor an initial transfer of funds to the EGM for a gaming session (i.e.,a first default amount to initially establish a credit balance of anEGM) and another default amount for a subsequent transfer of funds tothe EGM for an existing gaming session (i.e., a second default amount tomodify a previously established credit balance of the EGM).

In certain embodiments, following the determination of an amount ofnon-cashable funds to be transferred from the cashless wagering accountto the EGM, the mobile device application prompts the player to causethe mobile device to engage the EGM, such as prompting the player to tapthe mobile device to a player tracking card reader or other designatedlocation(s) of the EGM. After such engagement (or after thedetermination of an amount of funds to be transferred if no mobiledevice to EGM engagement is required), the mobile device applicationcommunicates, via a wireless communication protocol, data associatedwith the determined amount of non-cashable funds to be transferred fromthe cashless wagering account to the EGM.

In these embodiments, after the data associated with the determinedamount of non-cashable funds to be transferred from the cashlesswagering account to the EGM is wirelessly communicated, the EGM proceedswith operating with the cashless wagering system to log the player intoa cashless wagering account associated with the player (if necessary)and request the determined amount of non-cashable funds to betransferred from the cashless wagering account to the EGM.

In another embodiment, rather than prompting the player to engage theEGM with the mobile device and the subsequent engagement of the EGM withthe mobile device, the mobile device application automaticallydetermines to transfer a default amount of non-cashable funds, such asthe last transferred amount of funds, from the cashless wagering accountto the EGM. In this embodiment, the mobile device applicationcommunicates, via a wireless communication protocol, data associatedwith the determined amount of funds to be transferred from the cashlesswagering account to the EGM. In this embodiment, the EGM proceeds withoperating with a cashless wagering system to log the player into acashless wagering account associated with the player (if necessary) andrequest the determined amount of funds to be transferred from thecashless wagering account to the EGM.

Following the EGM requesting the determined amount of non-cashablefunds, the cashless wagering system determines whether to authorize thetransfer of the determined amount of non-cashable funds. If the cashlesswagering system determines not to authorize the determined amount offunds, the cashless wagering system communicates a denial to the EGMand/or the mobile device application, wherein the EGM and/or mobiledevice application display a denial of funds transfer to the player.

On the other hand, if the cashless wagering system determines toauthorize the determined amount of non-cashable funds, the cashlesswagering system updates the cashless wagering account associated withthe player and communicates an authorization to the EGM. The cashlesswagering system reduces a balance of the cashless wagering account bythe reduced amount of non-cashable funds. The EGM proceeds with updatinga credit balance of the EGM, such as a non-cashable credit balance, toaccount for the determined amount of funds. In certain embodiments, theEGM further proceeds with communicating a transfer of funds confirmationto the mobile device, wherein the mobile device application displays aconfirmation of the transfer of the amount of funds and/or the updatedcredit balance of the EGM. Such a transfer amount of funds is availablefor wagering by the player.

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes automatically transferring non-cashable fundsfrom a cashless wagering account to the EGM utilizing the mobile deviceapplication. In one such embodiment, the gaming system includes anautomatic reload feature wherein if a credit balance of the EGM, such asa non-cashable credit balance, falls below a threshold level, the mobiledevice automatically transfers an amount of non-cashable funds from thecashless wagering account to the EGM to facilitate additional wageringopportunities. It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments,the gaming system enables the player to enable or disable such anautomatic reload feature.

In another embodiment, the EGM periodically communicates information tothe mobile device regarding the status or amount of the non-cashablecredit balance of the EGM. In one such embodiment, based on thiscommunicated information, the mobile device application determines whento alert the player to potentially transfer additional non-cashablefunds to the EGM utilizing the mobile device application. For example,the mobile device application could vibrate the mobile device, or createa sound, which alerts the player to view the mobile device applicationand select which additional non-cashable funds to virtually insert intoor load on the EGM.

Transfer of Non-Cashable Funds from EGM to Cashless Wagering Account

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes enabling the player to transfer non-cashablefunds from an EGM to a cashless wagering account (i.e., an occurrence ofa gaming establishment account funding event) utilizing a mobile deviceapplication executed by a mobile device. That is, the system of thisdisclosure enables a player to transfer unused non-cashable credits fromthe EGM back to a cashless wagering account in association with themobile device application. In certain such embodiments, following thelaunching of the mobile device application, such as following the playerselecting an image associated with an electronic casino loyalty accountcard stored via a digital wallet application or following the mobiledevice application retrieving data associated with a cashless wageringaccount stored via a digital wallet application, and receiving one ormore “cash out” inputs from the player, the mobile device applicationdetermines an amount of non-cashable funds to be transferred from theEGM to the cashless wagering account.

In one embodiment, the mobile device application enables the player toselect an amount of unused non-cashable credits to be transferred fromthe EGM to the cashless wagering account utilizing one or more inputsreceived via the mobile device application and one or more inputsreceived via the EGM. In another embodiment, the mobile deviceapplication determines to transfer part or all of the unusednon-cashable credits of the credit balance of the EGM from the EGM tothe cashless wagering account.

In certain embodiments, following the determination of an amount ofunused non-cashable credits to be transferred from the EGM to thecashless wagering account, the mobile device application prompts theplayer to cause the mobile device to engage the EGM, such as promptingthe player to tap the mobile device to a player tracking card reader orother designated location(s) of the EGM.

In certain other embodiments, the system determines to facilitate thetransfer of unused non-cashable credits from the EGM to the cashlesswagering account independent of any input by the player and/orindependent of any engagement between the mobile device and the EGM. Inone such embodiment, if the system determines that no activity hasoccurred for a designated amount of time, as a precautionary measure,the system transfers any unused non-cashable credits of the creditbalance of the EGM from the EGM to the cashless wagering account used totransfer funds to the EGM. In another embodiment, if the systemdetermines that another player is attempting to log onto the EGM, as aprecautionary measure, the system transfers any unused non-cashablecredits of the credit balance of the EGM from the EGM to the cashlesswagering account used to transfer funds to the EGM. Such transfers ofthe unused non-cashable credits of the credit balance to the cashlesswagering account are associated with a termination of the player'scurrent gaming session.

In these embodiments, after any engagement between the mobile device andthe EGM (or after the determination of an amount of non-cashable fundsto be transferred if no mobile device to EGM engagement is required),the mobile device application communicates, via a wireless communicationprotocol, data associated with the determined amount of non-cashablefunds to be transferred from the EGM to the cashless wagering account.The EGM proceeds with operating with a cashless wagering system to logthe player into a cashless wagering account associated with the player(or confirm that the player remains logged into the cashless wageringaccount) and request the determined amount of non-cashable funds to betransferred from the EGM to the cashless wagering account. Followingsuch a request, the EGM proceeds with updating a credit balance of theEGM to account for the determined amount of non-cashable fundstransferred from the EGM to the cashless wagering account. The cashlesswagering system additionally updates the cashless wagering accountassociated with the player (i.e., the cashless wagering system adds thedetermined amount of non-cashable funds to the cashless wageringaccount) and communicates a confirmation to the EGM. The EGM furtherproceeds with communicating a transfer of funds confirmation to themobile device, wherein the mobile device application displays aconfirmation of the transfer of the amount of funds and/or the updatedcredit balance of the EGM. Such a transferred amount of non-cashablefunds is available in the player's cashless wagering account to betransferred to another EGM.

Transfer of Promotional Funds

In certain embodiments, the action to be performed additionally oralternatively includes transferring promotional funds from a playeraccount, such as a cashless wagering account, to the EGM utilizing amobile device application executed by a mobile device. In certain suchembodiments, rather than utilizing physical promotional tickets (i.e.,an instrument associated with a quantity of promotional creditsredeemable for game play on EGM, but not otherwise redeemable for cash)which represent promotional credits, the system utilizes an electronicor virtual ticket to represent promotional funds. In other suchembodiments, rather than a player redeeming a physical promotionalticket at a kiosk or player services desk to cause an amount ofpromotional credits associated with the physical promotional ticket tobe associated with a player tracking account, the system utilizes themobile device application to redeem such promotional credits.

In certain embodiments, to obtain promotional funds, such as one or moreelectronic or virtual promotional tickets, a gaming establishmentcommunicates data associated with promotional funds, such as anelectronic or virtual promotional ticket, to the mobile deviceapplication (or a server maintained account associated with the mobiledevice application). It should be appreciated that data associated withpromotional funds, such as one or more electronic promotional tickets,could be communicated to the mobile devices of a plurality of players(e.g., a gaming establishment communicates to each player with aregistered mobile device application a promotional ticket of promotionalcredits for free play of a new gaming machine the gaming establishmentis currently promoting) and/or could be communicated to the mobiledevice of a particular player (e.g., a gaming establishment communicatesto a promotional ticket of promotional credits to a valued player,wherein the promotional credits are redeemable for free play of anygaming machine in the gaming establishment).

In one such embodiment of communicating data associated with promotionalfunds, such as an electronic or virtual promotional ticket, to themobile device application (or a server maintained account associatedwith the mobile device application), one or more servers, such as agaming establishment promotional server, send a message, such as anemail or text message, to a player. The message includes a hyperlinkand/or an attachment associated with the promotional funds, such as anelectronic promotional ticket. When the player accesses the hyperlinkand/or attachment via the player's mobile device, the mobile deviceactivates or launches the mobile device application and the associatedpromotional funds, such as the associated electronic promotional ticket,are transferred to the mobile device application (or a server maintainedaccount associated with the mobile device application).

In another such embodiment of a gaming establishment communicating dataassociated with promotional funds, such as an electronic or virtualpromotional ticket, to the mobile device application (or a servermaintained account associated with the mobile device application), oneor more servers, such as a gaming establishment promotional server, senda message, such as an email or text message, to a player. The message ofthis embodiment does not include any hyperlink or attachment associatedwith any promotional funds, such as any electronic promotional ticketsand thus no promotional funds are transferred to the mobile deviceapplication via this message. Rather, the message of this embodimentnotifies the player that an account associated with the player has beencredited with promotional funds. Such a message could includeinformation associated with the available promotional funds (e.g., anamount of promotional credits, a promotional fund identifier, and/or atime window which the promotional funds may be redeemed). In thisembodiment, when the mobile device application is activated or launchedby a player, the mobile device application queries one or more servers,such as a gaming establishment promotional server, for any promotionalfunds available to the player. In this embodiment, the one or moreservers transfer data associated with any promotional funds available tothe player to the mobile device application (or a server maintainedaccount associated with the mobile device application).

In another such embodiment of communicating data associated withpromotional funds, such as an electronic or virtual promotional ticket,to the mobile device application (or a server maintained accountassociated with the mobile device application), one or more servers,such as a gaming establishment promotional server, send a message to themobile device application to associate the mobile device applicationwith promotional funds, such as one or more electronic or virtualpromotional tickets. Such a message could be sent via email, text,tcp/ip or other suitable networking technology that communicates thepromotional funds, such as the electronic or virtual promotional ticketand/or information associated with the electronic promotional ticket(e.g., an amount of promotional credits, a promotional ticketidentifier, and/or a time window which the electronic promotional ticketmay be redeemed) to the mobile device application (or a servermaintained account associated with the mobile device application).

In another such embodiment of communicating data associated withpromotional funds, such as an electronic or virtual promotional ticket,to the mobile device application (or a server maintained accountassociated with the mobile device application), when the mobile deviceapplication is activated or launched by a player, the mobile deviceapplication queries one or more servers, such as a gaming establishmentpromotional server, for any promotional funds, such as any electronic orvirtual promotional tickets, available to the player. That is, incertain embodiments, following the launching of the mobile deviceapplication, such as following the player selecting an image associatedwith an electronic casino loyalty account card stored via a digitalwallet application or following the mobile device application retrievingdata associated with a player account stored via a digital walletapplication, the system determines if any promotional funds are to betransferred to the EGM facilitated by the mobile device application. Inthis embodiment, if the server determines that promotional funds areavailable for the player, such as one or more electronic or virtualpromotional tickets are available for the player and/or an amount ofpromotional funds are associated with the player's account, the servertransfers data associated with any promotional funds available to theplayer to the mobile device application (or a server maintained accountassociated with the mobile device application).

In another such embodiment of communicating data associated withpromotional funds, such as an electronic or virtual promotional ticket,to the mobile device application (or a server maintained accountassociated with the mobile device application), when the mobile deviceand/or mobile device application detects that the mobile device islocated in a gaming establishment associated with the mobile deviceapplication, the mobile device application queries one or more servers,such as a gaming establishment promotional server, for any promotionalfunds, such as any electronic or virtual promotional tickets, availableto the player and/or an amount of promotional funds associated with theplayer's account. In this embodiment, if the server determines thatpromotional funds are available for the player, such as one or moreelectronic or virtual promotional tickets are available and/or an amountof promotional funds are associated with the player's account, theserver transfers data associated with any promotional funds available tothe player to the mobile device application (or a server maintainedaccount associated with the mobile device application).

It should be appreciated that in certain of these embodiments ofcommunicating data associated with promotional funds, such as anelectronic or virtual promotional ticket, to the mobile deviceapplication, the promotional funds, such as the electronic or virtualpromotional tickets, are stored by the mobile device in association withthe mobile device application. For example, data communicated to themobile device application includes the electronic promotional ticketwhich is redeemable at the EGM via the mobile device application. Inother embodiments of communicating data associated with promotionalfunds, such as an electronic or virtual promotional ticket, to themobile device application, the promotional funds, such as the electronicor virtual promotional tickets, are stored by one or more servers, suchas a gaming establishment promotional server, but viewable via themobile device application. For example, the electronic promotionalticket reside on the server, such as a gaming establishment promotionalserver, and the data communicated to the mobile device applicationincludes identifying information associated the electronic promotionalticket (e.g., an amount of promotional credits, a promotional ticketidentifier, and/or a time window which the electronic promotional ticketmay be redeemed). Accordingly, in each of these embodiments, the mobiledevice stores, in association with the mobile device application, dataassociated with promotional funds, such as one or more electronicpromotional tickets, to replace the use of and certain downsides ordisadvantages associated with paper promotional tickets.

Following the mobile device application obtaining data associated withpromotional funds, such as an electronic or virtual promotional ticket,to the mobile device application, the promotional funds, such as theelectronic or virtual promotional tickets, are accessible by the mobiledevice in association with the mobile device application. That is, asdescribed herein in relation to how funds are facilitated to betransferred from a mobile device to an EGM via the mobile deviceapplication and in conjunction with one or more confirmation inputs madeat the EGM, promotional funds, such as one or more electronicpromotional tickets (or promotional credits associated with suchelectronic promotional tickets), are viewable via the mobile deviceapplication and transferable from the mobile device to the EGM via themobile device application.

It should be appreciated that the utilization of a mobile device totransfer funds to the EGM reduces the costs associated with utilizingcash, ticket vouchers and/or promotional tickets. For example, theutilization of cash and ticket vouchers is associated with the laborcosts of having to periodically remove a cash box including receivedticket vouchers and cash from the EGM, replace the removed cash box withan empty one and refill the blank ticket voucher stacks housed by theEGM. The utilization of such cash and ticket vouchers is furtherassociated with the various labor costs of counting the cash and ticketvouchers removed from the EGM. Specifically, any removed cash istransported to a secure area where one or more individuals are involvedin counting and recording the various sums of cash and/or ticketvouchers removed from each EGM. The cash amounts removed from each EGMare reconciled with other information sources, such as from hard meterson the EGM or records from a server that generates and validates ticketvouchers. The reconciliation process ensures the earnings from the EGMare properly taxed. Additionally, the utilization of promotional ticketsis associated with the various costs of printing such promotionaltickets, mailing such promotional tickets to players prior to suchplayers visiting the gaming establishment and/or staffing a playerservice desk with personal to redeem such promotional tickets. Theutilization of a wirelessly connected mobile device to facilitate one ormore requested actions as described herein reduces or eliminates thesevarious costs associated with utilizing cash, ticket vouchers and/orpromotional tickets.

Securing Transactions Between Mobile Device and EGM

While the facilitation of the transfer of funds to and from an EGM via amobile device has many advantages described herein, as mentioned above,certain security concerns arise when transferring fund data wirelesslybetween an EGM and a mobile device (or between an EGM and the mobiledevice via one or more servers). For example, a malicious person mayattempt to intercept such a wireless communication and steal the fundsbeing transferred. Such a malicious person may devise electronics, suchas an antenna or other electronics placed on or near the EGM to inserttheir mobile device between a “cash out” input and the mobile deviceengaging the EGM.

More specifically, when facilitating the transfer of deposited fundsand/or an amount of winnings from the EGM to a cashless wagering accountvia the mobile device application, a player initiates an engagement ofthe EGM with the mobile device, such as tapping the mobile device to aplayer tracking card reader or other designated location(s) of the EGM(or a component of the EGM). However, before the engagement of the EGMwith the player's mobile device is complete, an intruder utilizes suchdevised electronics to beat the player to the completion of theengagement. In this example, when the player subsequently actuates a“cash out” button on the EGM, the EGM (or a component of the EGM)proceeds with transferring the amount of the credit balance of themobile device of the intruder. Such a concern is also present when aplayer attempts to wirelessly transfer funds to an EGM via a mobiledevice wherein the intruder device intercepts such a transfer andreroutes the funds to the mobile device of the intruder.

In view of these security concerns, in certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure utilize a time window, such as ten seconds, inassociation with one or more requested actions. In one such embodiment,after receiving an initiation of an engagement of the EGM with themobile device, the EGM (or a component of the EGM) assigns or otherwiseassociates a time window with such an engagement. If one mobile deviceis attempted to be paired with the EGM within the associated time windowbefore an action is requested, the EGM determines that only one mobiledevice is communicating with the EGM and the EGM proceeds with executingthe requested action, such as a requested fund transfer as describedherein. On the other hand, if more than one mobile device is attemptedto be paired with the EGM within the associated time window before anaction is requested, the EGM determines that an intruder device may bepresent. In such a situation, the EGM cancels the requested actionand/or prompts the player to reengage the EGM with the mobile device.

In another such embodiment, after receiving a requested action from themobile device, the EGM assigns or otherwise associates a time windowwith such a requested action. Following the requested action, if onemobile device is attempted to be paired with the EGM within theassociated time window, the EGM determines that only one mobile deviceis communicating with the EGM and the EGM proceeds with executing therequested action, such as a requested fund transfer as described herein.On the other hand, following the requested action, if more than onemobile device is attempted to be paired with the EGM within theassociated time window, the EGM determines that an intruder device maybe present. In such a situation, the EGM cancels the requested actionand/or prompts the player to reengage the EGM with the mobile device.

It should be appreciated that in addition to thwarting an isolatedattempt by an intruder to intercept a wireless fund transfer, the systemis configured to identify if a device is involved in multiple attemptedengagements with an EGM over a designated threshold or time window. Inthis embodiment, such a device may be prohibited from being involved infurther wireless fund transfers. For example, if multiple engagementsare detected involving a single device within a twenty-four hour period,then that mobile device could be banned from participating in any futureengagements. Alternatively, that device could be prevented fromparticipating in engagements for a designated period of time, such as acooling-off period.

Mobile Device/EGM Communications

As indicated above, in various embodiments, the insertion and removal ofan electronic player tracking card (i.e., the logging in and logging outof the player from the player tracking system), and/or the facilitationof the transfer of funds between a cashless wagering account maintainedfor a player and an EGM is accomplished by one or more wirelesscommunication protocols between the EGM and the mobile device. In suchembodiments, the EGM of the present disclosure includes one or moremobile device interfaces for communicating with a mobile deviceutilizing one or more wireless communication protocols including, butnot limited to: Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ Low Energy (“BLE”), one or morecellular communication standards (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE), one or more Wi-Ficompatible standards, and one or more short range communicationprotocols (e.g., a near field communication (“NFC”) protocol).

In certain embodiments, the communication with the mobile device canoccur through one or more wireless interfaces of the EGM. Such wirelessinterfaces are configured to receive information, such as informationassociated with one or more accounts and instructions to initiate atransfer of funds to and from a cashless wagering account and the EGMutilizing a mobile device.

In one embodiment, the wireless interface is integrated into the cabinetof the EGM and the EGM processor is configured to communicate directlywith and send control commands to the wireless interface. In anotherembodiment, the wireless interface is integrated into a device mountedto and/or within the EGM cabinet, such as a player tracking unit or aplayer identification device of a player tracking unit. In certainembodiments where the wireless interface is embedded in a secondarydevice, such as a player tracking unit, the EGM processor sends controlcommands to control the wireless interface via a secondary controller,such as a player tracking controller.

In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the wireless interfaceimplements an NFC protocol to facilitate the insertion and removal of anelectronic player tracking card (i.e., the logging in and logging out ofthe player from the player tracking system) and/or the transfer of fundsbetween a cashless wagering account maintained for a player and an EGM.

NFC is typically used for communication distances of 4 cm or less. NFC,enables for simplified transactions, data exchange, and connections witha touch. Formed in 2004, the Near Field Communication Forum (NFC Forum)promotes sharing, pairing, and transactions between NFC devices anddevelops and certifies device compliance with NFC standards. NFC's shortrange helps keep encrypted identity documents private. Thus, asdescribed above, a tap of a mobile device with an NFC chip to an EGM cancause a transfer of funds to an EGM and/or serve as keycard or ID cardfor a loyalty program.

As seen in FIG. 3A, utilizing an NFC implementation, the mobile device210 communicates with the EGM 250 via an NFC protocol. As seen in FIG.3A, the EGM housing (which includes the EGM 250 and various systemcomponents) operates with a gaming establishment management system 260which operates with one or more servers, such as one or more accountingservers 270, patron management servers 280 and cashless wagering servers290.

In certain embodiments which utilize the NFC implementation, the mobiledevice application registers a mobile device application with one ormore processors of the mobile device. In these embodiments, when themobile device is detected by an NFC reader of a component of a gamingestablishment management system supported by the EGM cabinet, such as aNexGen® player tracking component of an IGT Advantage® system, thecomponent of the gaming establishment management system supported by theEGM cabinet communicates one or more data messages to the mobile device(or to one or more servers which then communicate such data messages tothe mobile device). Such data messages are commands generated by thecomponent of the gaming establishment management system supported by theEGM cabinet when the mobile device is detected in the NFC reader field.The processor of the mobile device communicates the data message to themobile device application. The mobile device application responds, suchas communicating a triggering message, and a communication channel isopened between the component of the gaming establishment managementsystem supported by the EGM cabinet and the mobile device application(or between the component of the gaming establishment management systemsupported by the EGM cabinet, one or more servers and the mobile deviceapplication). This open communication channel enables the component ofthe gaming establishment management system supported by the EGM cabinetto send, though the NFC reader, additional data messages to the mobiledevice (or to the mobile device via one or more servers) which areresponded to by the mobile device application of the mobile device.

It should be appreciated that as long as the mobile device remainswithin the NFC field, the component of the gaming establishmentmanagement system supported by the EGM cabinet is configured tocommunicate with the mobile device and send data, such as statusupdates, as necessary. However, once the mobile device is removed fromthe NFC field, the communication channel is closed and such statusupdates must be discontinued.

In various embodiments, the component of the gaming establishmentmanagement system supported by the EGM cabinet is configured tocommunicate other commands to the mobile device. Such commands and/ormessages include one or more of: (i) a Card Inserted message whichconfirms that the player is logged into the player tracking system(e.g., an electronic player tracking card is associated with the EGM);(ii) a Card Removed message which confirms that the player is logged outof the player tracking system (e.g., an electronic player tracking cardis removed or no longer associated with the EGM); (iii) a New CardScanned message which reports that a physical card is detected in theplayer tracking card reader; (iv) a PIN Status message which reports apersonal identification number verification status; (v) a TransferStatus message which reports a transfer request status; (vi) a BalanceStatus message which reports a balance request status; and (vii) aDisconnect message which informs the mobile device application to dropthe connection with the EGM, such as when the EGM cashout button ispressed, when the gaming system determines that the player card is“abandoned” or when the EGM credit balance reaches zero and remains atzero for a designated period of time, such as thirty seconds.

In other embodiments, the wireless interface implements a Wi-Fi,cellular and/or Bluetooth™ communications protocol to facilitate theinsertion and removal of an electronic player tracking card (i.e., thelogging in and logging out of the player from the player trackingsystem) and/or the transfer of funds between a cashless wagering accountmaintained for a player and an EGM.

In such embodiments, Bluetooth™ pairing occurs when two Bluetoothdevices agree to communicate with each other and establish a connection.In order to pair two Bluetooth wireless devices, a password (passkey) isexchanged between the two devices. The Passkey is a code shared by bothBluetooth devices, which proves that both users have agreed to pair witheach other. After the passkey code is exchanged, an encryptedcommunication can be set up between the pair devices. In Wi-Fi paring,every pairing can be set up with WPA2 encryption or another type ofencryption scheme to keep the transfer private. Wi-Fi Direct is anexample of a protocol that can be used to establish point-to-pointcommunications between two Wi-Fi devices. The protocol enables for aWi-Fi device pair directly with another without having to first join alocal network.

As seen in FIG. 3B, utilizing an a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth™ communicationsprotocol implementation, the mobile device 210 communicates with the EGM250 via a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth™ communications protocol. As seen in FIG. 3B,the EGM housing (which includes the EGM 250 and various systemcomponents) operates with a gaming establishment management system 260which operates with one or more servers, such as one or more accountingservers 270, patron management servers 280 and cashless wagering servers290.

It should be appreciated that Wi-Fi, cellular or Bluetooth™communication protocols can be used in lieu of or in combination withNFC. For instance, an NFC communication can be used to instantiate aWi-Fi or Bluetooth™ communication between the EGM, zero, one or moreservers and a mobile device, such as secure pairing using one of theseprotocols. That is, in one embodiment, an NFC interface on an EGM can beused to set-up a higher speed communication between the EGM, zero, oneor more servers and the NFC enabled mobile device. The higher speedcommunication rates can be used for expanded content sharing. Forinstance, a NFC and Bluetooth enabled EGM can be tapped by an NFC andBluetooth enabled mobile device for instant Bluetooth pairing betweenthe devices and zero, one or more servers. Instant Bluetooth pairingbetween an EGM, an NFC enabled mobile device and zero, one or moreservers, can save searching, waiting, and entering codes. In anotherexample, an EGM can be configured as an NFC enabled router, such as arouter supporting a Wi-Fi communication standard. Tapping an NFC enabledmobile device to an NFC enabled and Wi-Fi enabled EGM can be used toestablish a Wi-Fi connection between the devices and zero, one or moreservers.

In certain embodiments which implement a Wi-Fi, cellular and/orBluetooth™ communications protocol, the gaming system utilizes one ormore QR codes generated by the EGM to facilitate the communication ofdata between the mobile device and the gaming system. In suchembodiments, the QR code is used to identify the EGM that is displayingthe QR code to identify the server to which the mobile device shouldconnect. It should be appreciated that the QR code enables the gamingsystem to establish a secure tunnel or path from the mobile device tothe gaming establishment's Wi-Fi network and then to the gamingestablishment's wired network and finally to the EGM. In theseembodiments, a communication tunnel wrapper (i.e., a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth™tunnel wrapper) is utilized to establish a connection between the gamingsystem and the mobile device and to transport any data messagesdescribed herein between the EGM, zero, one or more servers and themobile device.

More specifically, in certain embodiments, the player requests, via aninput at the EGM and/or the mobile device, the generation of a QR codeby the EGM. In response to the player's request, the EGM or a playertracking unit displays a QR code. In certain embodiments, the QR codeincludes a nonce which prevents a third-party (e.g., another player)from sniping the player's login attempt. Such an on-demand QR coderemains valid for a designated amount of time such that if the playerdoes not scan the QR code within the designated amount of time, anotherQR code is necessary to be scanned to connect the mobile device to theEGM.

In these embodiments, as seen in FIG. 2F, following the prompting tocause the EGM or player tracking unit to display a QR code and theinstructions with how to proceed to Card In via scanning the displayedQR code with the mobile device 230 f, the player scans the QR code withthe mobile device application. If the gaming system determines that theQR code is valid (i.e., not expired), the mobile device application willconnect to the gaming system. It should be appreciated that as long asthe established connection between the mobile device and the gamingsystem remains active, one or more gaming system servers and mobiledevice may communicate data, such as status updates, as necessary. Itshould be further appreciated that in association with the Wi-Fi orBluetooth™ or mobile device network communications protocol describedherein, any action requested by the player via the mobile deviceapplication does not require a new engagement between the mobile deviceand the EGM, such as a new scanning of the QR code to send such arequested action from the mobile device to the EGM (or to send arequested action from the mobile device to one or more servers and thenfrom one or more servers to the EGM).

In certain embodiments, following the scanning of a valid QR code, themobile device application connects to one or more servers. Such serversuse websockets secured with a transport layer security protocol or othersimilar mechanisms. In one such embodiment, the servers operate with oneor more translators and zero, one or more components of the gamingsystem, similarly using websockets secured with a transport layersecurity protocol, to communicate data to the EGM or a component of theEGM. It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments, one or moreof the servers are scalable servers configured to scale to acceptconnections from thousands of mobile devices.

In certain embodiments, after establishing a connection with one or moreservers, the mobile device application transmits a connect command tothe gaming system. In response to receiving a connect command from themobile device, the gaming system sends a message to the mobile device.This message serves to encapsulate various commands between the gamingsystem and the mobile device. In these embodiments, if the mobile deviceapplication does not receive this message within a designated period oftime, such as within five seconds, the mobile device applicationdisplays an error message to the player and directs the player to rescanthe QR code.

In addition to the connect command communicated from the mobile deviceapplication to the gaming system, the mobile device application of theseembodiments is configured to send a disconnect command to the gamingsystem. Such a disconnect command functions to tear-down the connectionthe server. That is, after the server receives the disconnect commandfrom the mobile device application, the server sends this disconnectcommand to the translator and close the websocket to the mobile deviceapplication. In these embodiments, if the websocket is not closed orotherwise terminated within a designated period of time, such as fiveseconds, the mobile device application may retry communicating thiscommand or close the websocket. It should be appreciated that if themobile device connection is severed before this command is received bythe gaming system, the sever sends this command on behalf of the mobiledevice application;

In another embodiment, the mobile device application is configured tosend a trigger command to the gaming system, such as a component of thegaming establishment management system supported by the EGM cabinet. Inthis embodiment, the trigger command is associated with an actionrequested by the player, such as a transfer of funds to or from the EGM.In such embodiments, when the gaming system receives the trigger commandfrom the mobile device application, the gaming system will communicatethe appropriate requests to the mobile device application. If the mobiledevice application does not receive these requests within a designatedamount of time, such as five seconds, the mobile device application willdisplay an error message to the player and enable the player to retrythe requested action.

In other embodiments, the mobile device application communicates withthe gaming system through a tunnel established over the mobile device'sWi-FI network or the mobile device's network connection. In suchembodiments, the mobile device application will connect to one or moregaming system servers which use websockets secured with a transportlayer security protocol. The gaming system server operates with one ormore translators, similarly using websockets secured with a transportlayer security protocol to communicate data to the EGM or a component ofthe EGM.

In certain embodiments which utilize the NFC communication protocoldescribed herein, which utilize the Wi-Fi, cellular and/or Bluetooth™communication protocols described herein and/or which utilize any othercommunication protocol described herein, any action requested by theplayer via the mobile device application requires a new engagementbetween the mobile device and the EGM, such as a new tap of the mobiledevice to a card reader or other designated location(s) of the EGM. Incertain other embodiments which utilize the NFC communication protocoldescribed herein, which utilize the Wi-Fi, cellular and/or Bluetooth™communication protocols described herein and/or which utilize any othercommunication protocol described herein, certain actions requested bythe player via the mobile device application requires a new engagementbetween the mobile device and the EGM, such as a new tap of the mobiledevice to a card reader or other designated location(s) of the EGM andother actions requested by the player via the mobile device applicationdo not require any new engagement between the mobile device and the EGM.

Gaming Systems

The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented in accordance with or in conjunction with one or more of avariety of different types of gaming systems, such as, but not limitedto, those described below.

The present disclosure contemplates a variety of different gamingsystems each having one or more of a plurality of different features,attributes, or characteristics. A “gaming system” as used herein refersto various configurations of: (a) one or more central servers, centralcontrollers, or remote hosts; (b) one or more electronic gaming machinessuch as those located on a casino floor; and/or (c) one or more personalgaming devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tabletcomputers or computing devices, personal digital assistants, mobilephones, and other mobile computing devices.

Thus, in various embodiments, the gaming system of the presentdisclosure includes: (a) one or more electronic gaming machines incombination with one or more central servers, central controllers, orremote hosts; (b) one or more personal gaming devices in combinationwith one or more central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts;(c) one or more personal gaming devices in combination with one or moreelectronic gaming machines; (d) one or more personal gaming devices, oneor more electronic gaming machines, and one or more central servers,central controllers, or remote hosts in combination with one another;(e) a single electronic gaming machine; (f) a plurality of electronicgaming machines in combination with one another; (g) a single personalgaming device; (h) a plurality of personal gaming devices in combinationwith one another; (i) a single central server, central controller, orremote host; and/or (j) a plurality of central servers, centralcontrollers, or remote hosts in combination with one another.

For brevity and clarity and unless specifically stated otherwise, theterm “EGM” is used herein to refer to an electronic gaming machine (suchas a slot machine, a video poker machine, a video lottery terminal(VLT), a video keno machine, or a video bingo machine located on acasino floor). Additionally, for brevity and clarity and unlessspecifically stated otherwise, “EGM” as used herein represents one EGMor a plurality of EGMs, “personal gaming device” as used hereinrepresents one personal gaming device or a plurality of personal gamingdevices, and “central server, central controller, or remote host” asused herein represents one central server, central controller, or remotehost or a plurality of central servers, central controllers, or remotehosts.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the gaming system includes anEGM (or personal gaming device) in combination with a central server,central controller, or remote host. In such embodiments, the EGM (orpersonal gaming device) is configured to communicate with the centralserver, central controller, or remote host through a data network orremote communication link. In certain such embodiments, the EGM (orpersonal gaming device) is configured to communicate with another EGM(or personal gaming device) through the same data network or remotecommunication link or through a different data network or remotecommunication link.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes an EGM (orpersonal gaming device) in combination with a central server, centralcontroller, or remote host, the central server, central controller, orremote host is any suitable computing device (such as a server) thatincludes at least one processor and at least one memory device or datastorage device. As further described herein, the EGM (or personal gamingdevice) includes at least one EGM (or personal gaming device) processorconfigured to transmit and receive data or signals representing events,messages, commands, or any other suitable information between the EGM(or personal gaming device) and the central server, central controller,or remote host. The at least one processor of that EGM (or personalgaming device) is configured to execute the events, messages, orcommands represented by such data or signals in conjunction with theoperation of the EGM (or personal gaming device). Moreover, the at leastone processor of the central server, central controller, or remote hostis configured to transmit and receive data or signals representingevents, messages, commands, or any other suitable information betweenthe central server, central controller, or remote host and the EGM (orpersonal gaming device). The at least one processor of the centralserver, central controller, or remote host is configured to execute theevents, messages, or commands represented by such data or signals inconjunction with the operation of the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host. One, more than one, or each of the functionsof the central server, central controller, or remote host may beperformed by the at least one processor of the EGM (or personal gamingdevice). Further, one, more than one, or each of the functions of the atleast one processor of the EGM (or personal gaming device) may beperformed by the at least one processor of the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host.

In certain such embodiments, computerized instructions for controllingany games (such as any primary or base games and/or any secondary orbonus games) displayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device) areexecuted by the central server, central controller, or remote host. Insuch “thin client” embodiments, the central server, central controller,or remote host remotely controls any games (or other suitableinterfaces) displayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device), and theEGM (or personal gaming device) is utilized to display such games (orsuitable interfaces) and to receive one or more inputs or commands. Inother such embodiments, computerized instructions for controlling anygames displayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device) are communicatedfrom the central server, central controller, or remote host to the EGM(or personal gaming device) and are stored in at least one memory deviceof the EGM (or personal gaming device). In such “thick client”embodiments, the at least one processor of the EGM (or personal gamingdevice) executes the computerized instructions to control any games (orother suitable interfaces) displayed by the EGM (or personal gamingdevice).

In various embodiments in which the gaming system includes a pluralityof EGMs (or personal gaming devices), one or more of the EGMs (orpersonal gaming devices) are thin client EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) and one or more of the EGMs (or personal gaming devices) arethick client EGMs (or personal gaming devices). In other embodiments inwhich the gaming system includes one or more EGMs (or personal gamingdevices), certain functions of one or more of the EGMs (or personalgaming devices) are implemented in a thin client environment, andcertain other functions of one or more of the EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) are implemented in a thick client environment. In one suchembodiment in which the gaming system includes an EGM (or personalgaming device) and a central server, central controller, or remote host,computerized instructions for controlling any primary or base gamesdisplayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device) are communicated fromthe central server, central controller, or remote host to the EGM (orpersonal gaming device) in a thick client configuration, andcomputerized instructions for controlling any secondary or bonus gamesor other functions displayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device) areexecuted by the central server, central controller, or remote host in athin client configuration.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGM(or personal gaming device) configured to communicate with a centralserver, central controller, or remote host through a data network;and/or (b) a plurality of EGMs (or personal gaming devices) configuredto communicate with one another through a data network, the data networkis a local area network (LAN) in which the EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) are located substantially proximate to one another and/or thecentral server, central controller, or remote host. In one example, theEGMs (or personal gaming devices) and the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host are located in a gaming establishment or aportion of a gaming establishment.

In other embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGM (orpersonal gaming device) configured to communicate with a central server,central controller, or remote host through a data network; and/or (b) aplurality of EGMs (or personal gaming devices) configured to communicatewith one another through a data network, the data network is a wide areanetwork (WAN) in which one or more of the EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) are not necessarily located substantially proximate to anotherone of the EGMs (or personal gaming devices) and/or the central server,central controller, or remote host. For example, one or more of the EGMs(or personal gaming devices) are located: (a) in an area of a gamingestablishment different from an area of the gaming establishment inwhich the central server, central controller, or remote host is located;or (b) in a gaming establishment different from the gaming establishmentin which the central server, central controller, or remote host islocated. In another example, the central server, central controller, orremote host is not located within a gaming establishment in which theEGMs (or personal gaming devices) are located. In certain embodiments inwhich the data network is a WAN, the gaming system includes a centralserver, central controller, or remote host and an EGM (or personalgaming device) each located in a different gaming establishment in asame geographic area, such as a same city or a same state. Gamingsystems in which the data network is a WAN are substantially identicalto gaming systems in which the data network is a LAN, though thequantity of EGMs (or personal gaming devices) in such gaming systems mayvary relative to one another.

In further embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGM(or personal gaming device) configured to communicate with a centralserver, central controller, or remote host through a data network;and/or (b) a plurality of EGMs (or personal gaming devices) configuredto communicate with one another through a data network, the data networkis an internet (such as the Internet) or an intranet. In certain suchembodiments, an Internet browser of the EGM (or personal gaming device)is usable to access an Internet game page from any location where anInternet connection is available. In one such embodiment, after the EGM(or personal gaming device) accesses the Internet game page, the centralserver, central controller, or remote host identifies a player beforeenabling that player to place any wagers on any plays of any wageringgames. In one example, the central server, central controller, or remotehost identifies the player by requiring a player account of the playerto be logged into via an input of a unique username and passwordcombination assigned to the player. The central server, centralcontroller, or remote host may, however, identify the player in anyother suitable manner, such as by validating a player trackingidentification number associated with the player; by reading a playertracking card or other smart card inserted into a card reader (asdescribed below); by validating a unique player identification numberassociated with the player by the central server, central controller, orremote host; or by identifying the EGM (or personal gaming device), suchas by identifying the MAC address or the IP address of the Internetfacilitator. In various embodiments, once the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host identifies the player, the central server,central controller, or remote host enables placement of one or morewagers on one or more plays of one or more primary or base games and/orone or more secondary or bonus games, and displays those plays via theInternet browser of the EGM (or personal gaming device). Examples ofimplementations of Internet-based gaming are further described in U.S.Pat. No. 8,764,566, entitled “Internet Remote Game Server,” and U.S.Pat. No. 8,147,334, entitled “Universal Game Server”.

The central server, central controller, or remote host and the EGM (orpersonal gaming device) are configured to connect to the data network orremote communications link in any suitable manner. In variousembodiments, such a connection is accomplished via: a conventional phoneline or other data transmission line, a digital subscriber line (DSL), aT-1 line, a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a wireless or wiredrouting device, a mobile communications network connection (such as acellular network or mobile Internet network), or any other suitablemedium. The expansion in the quantity of computing devices and thequantity and speed of Internet connections in recent years increasesopportunities for players to use a variety of EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) to play games from an ever-increasing quantity of remote sites.Additionally, the enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communicationsmay render such technology suitable for some or all communications,particularly if such communications are encrypted. Higher datatransmission speeds may be useful for enhancing the sophistication andresponse of the display and interaction with players.

EGM Components

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example EGM 1000 and FIGS. 5A and 5Binclude two different example EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b. The EGMs 1000,2000 a, and 2000 b are merely example EGMs, and different EGMs may beimplemented using different combinations of the components shown in theEGMs 1000, 2000 a, and 2000 b. Although the below refers to EGMs, invarious embodiments personal gaming devices may includes some or all ofthe below components.

In these embodiments, the EGM 1000 includes a master gaming controller1012 configured to communicate with and to operate with a plurality ofperipheral devices 1022.

The master gaming controller 1012 includes at least one processor 1010.The at least one processor 1010 is any suitable processing device or setof processing devices, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller-basedplatform, a suitable integrated circuit, or one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), configured to executesoftware enabling various configuration and reconfiguration tasks, suchas: (1) communicating with a remote source (such as a server that storesauthentication information or game information) via a communicationinterface 1006 of the master gaming controller 1012; (2) convertingsignals read by an interface to a format corresponding to that used bysoftware or memory of the EGM; (3) accessing memory to configure orreconfigure game parameters in the memory according to indicia read fromthe EGM; (4) communicating with interfaces and the peripheral devices1022 (such as input/output devices); and/or (5) controlling theperipheral devices 1022. In certain embodiments, one or more componentsof the master gaming controller 1012 (such as the at least one processor1010) reside within a housing of the EGM (described below), while inother embodiments at least one component of the master gaming controller1012 resides outside of the housing of the EGM.

The master gaming controller 1012 also includes at least one memorydevice 1016, which includes: (1) volatile memory (e.g., RAM 1009, whichcan include non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, and anyother suitable forms); (2) non-volatile memory 1019 (e.g., disk memory,FLASH memory, EPROMs, EEPROMs, memristor-based non-volatile solid-statememory, etc.); (3) unalterable memory (e.g., EPROMs 1008); (4) read-onlymemory; and/or (5) a secondary memory storage device 1015, such as anon-volatile memory device, configured to store gaming software relatedinformation (the gaming software related information and the memory maybe used to store various audio files and games not currently being usedand invoked in a configuration or reconfiguration). Any other suitablemagnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory may operate inconjunction with the EGM disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, theat least one memory device 1016 resides within the housing of the EGM(described below), while in other embodiments at least one component ofthe at least one memory device 1016 resides outside of the housing ofthe EGM.

The at least one memory device 1016 is configured to store, for example:(1) configuration software 1014, such as all the parameters and settingsfor a game playable on the EGM; (2) associations 1018 betweenconfiguration indicia read from an EGM with one or more parameters andsettings; (3) communication protocols configured to enable the at leastone processor 1010 to communicate with the peripheral devices 1022;and/or (4) communication transport protocols (such as TCP/IP, USB,Firewire, IEEE1394, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11x (IEEE 802.11 standards),hiperlan/2, HomeRF, etc.) configured to enable the EGM to communicatewith local and non-local devices using such protocols. In oneimplementation, the master gaming controller 1012 communicates withother devices using a serial communication protocol. A few non-limitingexamples of serial communication protocols that other devices, such asperipherals (e.g., a bill validator or a ticket printer), may use tocommunicate with the master game controller 1012 include USB, RS-232,and Netplex (a proprietary protocol developed by IGT).

In certain embodiments, the at least one memory device 1016 isconfigured to store program code and instructions executable by the atleast one processor of the EGM to control the EGM. The at least onememory device 1016 of the EGM also stores other operating data, such asimage data, event data, input data, random number generators (RNGs) orpseudo-RNGs, paytable data or information, and/or applicable game rulesthat relate to the play of one or more games on the EGM. In variousembodiments, part or all of the program code and/or the operating datadescribed above is stored in at least one detachable or removable memorydevice including, but not limited to, a cartridge, a disk, a CD ROM, aDVD, a USB memory device, or any other suitable non-transitory computerreadable medium. In certain such embodiments, an operator (such as agaming establishment operator) and/or a player uses such a removablememory device in an EGM to implement at least part of the presentdisclosure. In other embodiments, part or all of the program code and/orthe operating data is downloaded to the at least one memory device ofthe EGM through any suitable data network described above (such as anInternet or intranet).

The at least one memory device 1016 also stores a plurality of devicedrivers 1042. Examples of different types of device drivers includedevice drivers for EGM components and device drivers for the peripheralcomponents 1022. Typically, the device drivers 1042 utilize variouscommunication protocols that enable communication with a particularphysical device. The device driver abstracts the hardware implementationof that device. For example, a device driver may be written for eachtype of card reader that could potentially be connected to the EGM.Non-limiting examples of communication protocols used to implement thedevice drivers include Netplex, USB, Serial, Ethernet 175, Firewire, I/Odebouncer, direct memory map, serial, PCI, parallel, RF, Bluetooth™,near-field communications (e.g., using near-field magnetics), 802.11(WiFi), etc. In one embodiment, when one type of a particular device isexchanged for another type of the particular device, the at least oneprocessor of the EGM loads the new device driver from the at least onememory device to enable communication with the new device. For instance,one type of card reader in the EGM can be replaced with a seconddifferent type of card reader when device drivers for both card readersare stored in the at least one memory device.

In certain embodiments, the software units stored in the at least onememory device 1016 can be upgraded as needed. For instance, when the atleast one memory device 1016 is a hard drive, new games, new gameoptions, new parameters, new settings for existing parameters, newsettings for new parameters, new device drivers, and new communicationprotocols can be uploaded to the at least one memory device 1016 fromthe master game controller 1012 or from some other external device. Asanother example, when the at least one memory device 1016 includes aCD/DVD drive including a CD/DVD configured to store game options,parameters, and settings, the software stored in the at least one memorydevice 1016 can be upgraded by replacing a first CD/DVD with a secondCD/DVD. In yet another example, when the at least one memory device 1016uses flash memory 1019 or EPROM 1008 units configured to store games,game options, parameters, and settings, the software stored in the flashand/or EPROM memory units can be upgraded by replacing one or morememory units with new memory units that include the upgraded software.In another embodiment, one or more of the memory devices, such as thehard drive, may be employed in a game software download process from aremote software server.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory device 1016 also storesauthentication and/or validation components 1044 configured toauthenticate/validate specified EGM components and/or information, suchas hardware components, software components, firmware components,peripheral device components, user input device components, informationreceived from one or more user input devices, information stored in theat least one memory device 1016, etc. Examples of various authenticationand/or validation components are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,047,entitled “Electronic Gaming Apparatus Having Authentication Data Sets”.

In certain embodiments, the peripheral devices 1022 include severaldevice interfaces, such as: (1) at least one output device 1020including at least one display device 1035; (2) at least one inputdevice 1030 (which may include contact and/or non-contact interfaces);(3) at least one transponder 1054; (4) at least one wirelesscommunication component 1056; (5) at least one wired/wireless powerdistribution component 1058; (6) at least one sensor 1060; (7) at leastone data preservation component 1062; (8) at least one motion/gestureanalysis and interpretation component 1064; (9) at least one motiondetection component 1066; (10) at least one portable power source 1068;(11) at least one geolocation module 1076; (12) at least one useridentification module 1077; (13) at least one player/device trackingmodule 1078; and (14) at least one information filtering module 1079.

The at least one output device 1020 includes at least one display device1035 configured to display any game(s) displayed by the EGM and anysuitable information associated with such game(s). In certainembodiments, the display devices are connected to or mounted on ahousing of the EGM (described below). In various embodiments, thedisplay devices serve as digital glass configured to advertise certaingames or other aspects of the gaming establishment in which the EGM islocated. In various embodiments, the EGM includes one or more of thefollowing display devices: (a) a central display device; (b) a playertracking display configured to display various information regarding aplayer's player tracking status (as described below); (c) a secondary orupper display device in addition to the central display device and theplayer tracking display; (d) a credit display configured to display acurrent quantity of credits, amount of cash, account balance, or theequivalent; and (e) a bet display configured to display an amountwagered for one or more plays of one or more games. The example EGM 2000a illustrated in FIG. 5A includes a central display device 2116, aplayer tracking display 2140, a credit display 2120, and a bet display2122. The example EGM 2000 b illustrated in FIG. 5B includes a centraldisplay device 2116, an upper display device 2118, a player trackingdisplay 2140, a credit display 2120, and a bet display 2122.

In various embodiments, the display devices include, without limitation:a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), adisplay based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), adisplay based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display basedon a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a displayincluding a projected and/or reflected image, or any other suitableelectronic device or display mechanism. In certain embodiments, asdescribed above, the display device includes a touch-screen with anassociated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of anysuitable sizes, shapes, and configurations.

The display devices of the EGM are configured to display one or moregame and/or non-game images, symbols, and indicia. In certainembodiments, the display devices of the EGM are configured to displayany suitable visual representation or exhibition of the movement ofobjects; dynamic lighting; video images; images of people, characters,places, things, and faces of cards; and the like. In certainembodiments, the display devices of the EGM are configured to displayone or more video reels, one or more video wheels, and/or one or morevideo dice. In other embodiments, certain of the displayed images,symbols, and indicia are in mechanical form. That is, in theseembodiments, the display device includes any electromechanical device,such as one or more rotatable wheels, one or more reels, and/or one ormore dice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game orother suitable images, symbols, or indicia.

In various embodiments, the at least one output device 1020 includes apayout device. In these embodiments, after the EGM receives an actuationof a cashout device (described below), the EGM causes the payout deviceto provide a payment to the player. In one embodiment, the payout deviceis one or more of: (a) a ticket printer and dispenser configured toprint and dispense a ticket or credit slip associated with a monetaryvalue, wherein the ticket or credit slip may be redeemed for itsmonetary value via a cashier, a kiosk, or other suitable redemptionsystem; (b) a bill dispenser configured to dispense paper currency; (c)a coin dispenser configured to dispense coins or tokens (such as into acoin payout tray); and (d) any suitable combination thereof. The exampleEGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B each include aticket printer and dispenser 2136. Examples of ticket-in ticket-out(TITO) technology are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,361, entitled“Gaming Machine Information, Communication and Display System”; U.S.Pat. No. 5,470,079, entitled “Gaming Machine Accounting and MonitoringSystem”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,874, entitled “Cashless Gaming Apparatusand Method”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,957, entitled “Gaming Method and HostComputer with Ticket-In/Ticket-Out Capability”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,958,entitled “Gaming System with Ticket-In/Ticket-Out Capability”; U.S. Pat.No. 6,736,725, entitled “Gaming Method and Host Computer withTicket-In/Ticket-Out Capability”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,991, entitled“Slot Machine with Ticket-In/Ticket-Out Capability”; U.S. Pat. No.6,048,269, entitled “Coinless Slot Machine System and Method”; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,290,003, entitled “Gaming Machine and Coupons”.

In certain embodiments, rather than dispensing bills, coins, or aphysical ticket having a monetary value to the player following receiptof an actuation of the cashout device, the payout device is configuredto cause a payment to be provided to the player in the form of anelectronic funds transfer, such as via a direct deposit into a bankaccount, a casino account, or a prepaid account of the player; via atransfer of funds onto an electronically recordable identification cardor smart card of the player; or via sending a virtual ticket having amonetary value to an electronic device of the player. Examples ofproviding payment using virtual tickets are described in U.S. Pat. No.8,613,659, entitled “Virtual Ticket-In and Ticket-Out on a GamingMachine”.

While any credit balances, any wagers, any values, and any awards aredescribed herein as amounts of monetary credits or currency, one or moreof such credit balances, such wagers, such values, and such awards maybe for non-monetary credits, promotional credits, of player trackingpoints or credits.

In certain embodiments, the at least one output device 1020 is a soundgenerating device controlled by one or more sound cards. In one suchembodiment, the sound generating device includes one or more speakers orother sound generating hardware and/or software configured to generatesounds, such as by playing music for any games or by playing music forother modes of the EGM, such as an attract mode. The example EGMs 2000 aand 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B each include a plurality ofspeakers 2150. In another such embodiment, the EGM provides dynamicsounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one ormore of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation orto otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players tothe EGM. In certain embodiments, the EGM displays a sequence of audioand/or visual attraction messages during idle periods to attractpotential players to the EGM. The videos may be customized to provideany appropriate information.

The at least one input device 1030 may include any suitable device thatenables an input signal to be produced and received by the at least oneprocessor 1010 of the EGM.

In one embodiment, the at least one input device 1030 includes a paymentdevice configured to communicate with the at least one processor of theEGM to fund the EGM. In certain embodiments, the payment device includesone or more of: (a) a bill acceptor into which paper money is insertedto fund the EGM; (b) a ticket acceptor into which a ticket or a voucheris inserted to fund the EGM; (c) a coin slot into which coins or tokensare inserted to fund the EGM; (d) a reader or a validator for creditcards, debit cards, or credit slips into which a credit card, debitcard, or credit slip is inserted to fund the EGM; (e) a playeridentification card reader into which a player identification card isinserted to fund the EGM; or (f) any suitable combination thereof. Theexample EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B eachinclude a combined bill and ticket acceptor 2128 and a coin slot 2126.

In one embodiment, the at least one input device 1030 includes a paymentdevice configured to enable the EGM to be funded via an electronic fundstransfer, such as a transfer of funds from a bank account. In anotherembodiment, the EGM includes a payment device configured to communicatewith a mobile device of a player, such as a mobile phone, a radiofrequency identification tag, or any other suitable wired or wirelessdevice, to retrieve relevant information associated with that player tofund the EGM. Examples of funding an EGM via communication between theEGM and a mobile device (such as a mobile phone) of a player aredescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0344942,entitled “Avatar as Security Measure for Mobile Device Use withElectronic Gaming Machine”. When the EGM is funded, the at least oneprocessor determines the amount of funds entered and displays thecorresponding amount on a credit display or any other suitable displayas described below.

In certain embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes atleast one wagering or betting device. In various embodiments, the one ormore wagering or betting devices are each: (1) a mechanical buttonsupported by the housing of the EGM (such as a hard key or aprogrammable soft key), or (2) an icon displayed on a display device ofthe EGM (described below) that is actuatable via a touch screen of theEGM (described below) or via use of a suitable input device of the EGM(such as a mouse or a joystick). One such wagering or betting device isas a maximum wager or bet device that, when actuated, causes the EGM toplace a maximum wager on a play of a game. Another such wagering orbetting device is a repeat bet device that, when actuated, causes theEGM to place a wager that is equal to the previously-placed wager on aplay of a game. A further such wagering or betting device is a bet onedevice that, when actuated, causes the EGM to increase the wager by onecredit. Generally, upon actuation of one of the wagering or bettingdevices, the quantity of credits displayed in a credit meter (describedbelow) decreases by the amount of credits wagered, while the quantity ofcredits displayed in a bet display (described below) increases by theamount of credits wagered.

In various embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes atleast one game play activation device. In various embodiments, the oneor more game play initiation devices are each: (1) a mechanical buttonsupported by the housing of the EGM (such as a hard key or aprogrammable soft key), or (2) an icon displayed on a display device ofthe EGM (described below) that is actuatable via a touch screen of theEGM (described below) or via use of a suitable input device of the EGM(such as a mouse or a joystick). After a player appropriately funds theEGM and places a wager, the EGM activates the game play activationdevice to enable the player to actuate the game play activation deviceto initiate a play of a game on the EGM (or another suitable sequence ofevents associated with the EGM). After the EGM receives an actuation ofthe game play activation device, the EGM initiates the play of the game.The example EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B eachinclude a game play activation device in the form of a game playinitiation button 2132. In other embodiments, the EGM begins game playautomatically upon appropriate funding rather than upon utilization ofthe game play activation device.

In other embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes acashout device. In various embodiments, the cashout device is: (1) amechanical button supported by the housing of the EGM (such as a hardkey or a programmable soft key), or (2) an icon displayed on a displaydevice of the EGM (described below) that is actuatable via a touchscreen of the EGM (described below) or via use of a suitable inputdevice of the EGM (such as a mouse or a joystick). When the EGM receivesan actuation of the cashout device from a player and the player has apositive (i.e., greater-than-zero) credit balance, the EGM initiates apayout associated with the player's credit balance. The example EGMs2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B each include a cashoutdevice in the form of a cashout button 2134.

In various embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes aplurality of buttons that are programmable by the EGM operator to, whenactuated, cause the EGM to perform particular functions. For instance,such buttons may be hard keys, programmable soft keys, or icons icondisplayed on a display device of the EGM (described below) that areactuatable via a touch screen of the EGM (described below) or via use ofa suitable input device of the EGM (such as a mouse or a joystick). Theexample EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B eachinclude a plurality of such buttons 2130.

In certain embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes atouch-screen coupled to a touch-screen controller or othertouch-sensitive display overlay to enable interaction with any imagesdisplayed on a display device (as described below). One such inputdevice is a conventional touch-screen button panel. The touch-screen andthe touch-screen controller are connected to a video controller. Inthese embodiments, signals are input to the EGM by touching the touchscreen at the appropriate locations.

In embodiments including a player tracking system, as further describedbelow, the at least one input device 1030 includes a card reader incommunication with the at least one processor of the EGM. The exampleEGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B each include acard reader 2138. The card reader is configured to read a playeridentification card inserted into the card reader.

The at least one wireless communication component 1056 includes one ormore communication interfaces having different architectures andutilizing a variety of protocols, such as (but not limited to) 802.11(WiFi); 802.15 (including Bluetooth™); 802.16 (WiMax); 802.22; cellularstandards such as CDMA, CDMA2000, and WCDMA; Radio Frequency (e.g.,RFID); infrared; and Near Field Magnetic communication protocols. The atleast one wireless communication component 1056 transmits electrical,electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams oranalog signals representing various types of information.

The at least one wired/wireless power distribution component 1058includes components or devices that are configured to provide power toother devices. For example, in one embodiment, the at least one powerdistribution component 1058 includes a magnetic induction system that isconfigured to provide wireless power to one or more user input devicesnear the EGM. In one embodiment, a user input device docking region isprovided, and includes a power distribution component that is configuredto recharge a user input device without requiring metal-to-metalcontact. In one embodiment, the at least one power distributioncomponent 1058 is configured to distribute power to one or more internalcomponents of the EGM, such as one or more rechargeable power sources(e.g., rechargeable batteries) located at the EGM.

In certain embodiments, the at least one sensor 1060 includes at leastone of: optical sensors, pressure sensors, RF sensors, infrared sensors,image sensors, thermal sensors, and biometric sensors. The at least onesensor 1060 may be used for a variety of functions, such as: detectingmovements and/or gestures of various objects within a predeterminedproximity to the EGM; detecting the presence and/or identity of variouspersons (e.g., players, casino employees, etc.), devices (e.g., userinput devices), and/or systems within a predetermined proximity to theEGM.

The at least one data preservation component 1062 is configured todetect or sense one or more events and/or conditions that, for example,may result in damage to the EGM and/or that may result in loss ofinformation associated with the EGM. Additionally, the data preservationsystem 1062 may be operable to initiate one or more appropriateaction(s) in response to the detection of such events/conditions.

The at least one motion/gesture analysis and interpretation component1064 is configured to analyze and/or interpret information relating todetected player movements and/or gestures to determine appropriateplayer input information relating to the detected player movementsand/or gestures. For example, in one embodiment, the at least onemotion/gesture analysis and interpretation component 1064 is configuredto perform one or more of the following functions: analyze the detectedgross motion or gestures of a player; interpret the player's motion orgestures (e.g., in the context of a casino game being played) toidentify instructions or input from the player; utilize the interpretedinstructions/input to advance the game state; etc. In other embodiments,at least a portion of these additional functions may be implemented at aremote system or device.

The at least one portable power source 1068 enables the EGM to operatein a mobile environment. For example, in one embodiment, the EGM 300includes one or more rechargeable batteries.

The at least one geolocation module 1076 is configured to acquiregeolocation information from one or more remote sources and use theacquired geolocation information to determine information relating to arelative and/or absolute position of the EGM. For example, in oneimplementation, the at least one geolocation module 1076 is configuredto receive GPS signal information for use in determining the position orlocation of the EGM. In another implementation, the at least onegeolocation module 1076 is configured to receive multiple wirelesssignals from multiple remote devices (e.g., EGMs, servers, wirelessaccess points, etc.) and use the signal information to computeposition/location information relating to the position or location ofthe EGM.

The at least one user identification module 1077 is configured todetermine the identity of the current user or current owner of the EGM.For example, in one embodiment, the current user is required to performa login process at the EGM in order to access one or more features.Alternatively, the EGM is configured to automatically determine theidentity of the current user based on one or more external signals, suchas an RFID tag or badge worn by the current user and that provides awireless signal to the EGM that is used to determine the identity of thecurrent user. In at least one embodiment, various security features areincorporated into the EGM to prevent unauthorized users from accessingconfidential or sensitive information.

The at least one information filtering module 1079 is configured toperform filtering (e.g., based on specified criteria) of selectedinformation to be displayed at one or more displays 1035 of the EGM.

In various embodiments, the EGM includes a plurality of communicationports configured to enable the at least one processor of the EGM tocommunicate with and to operate with external peripherals, such as:accelerometers, arcade sticks, bar code readers, bill validators,biometric input devices, bonus devices, button panels, card readers,coin dispensers, coin hoppers, display screens or other displays orvideo sources, expansion buses, information panels, keypads, lights,mass storage devices, microphones, motion sensors, motors, printers,reels, SCSI ports, solenoids, speakers, thumbsticks, ticket readers,touch screens, trackballs, touchpads, wheels, and wireless communicationdevices. U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,072 describes a variety of EGMs includingone or more communication ports that enable the EGMs to communicate andoperate with one or more external peripherals.

As generally described above, in certain embodiments, such as theexample EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the EGMhas a support structure, housing, or cabinet that provides support for aplurality of the input devices and the output devices of the EGM.Further, the EGM is configured such that a player may operate it whilestanding or sitting. In various embodiments, the EGM is positioned on abase or stand, or is configured as a pub-style tabletop game (not shown)that a player may operate typically while sitting. As illustrated by thedifferent example EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, EGMsmay have varying housing and display configurations.

In certain embodiments, the EGM is a device that has obtained approvalfrom a regulatory gaming commission, and in other embodiments, the EGMis a device that has not obtained approval from a regulatory gamingcommission.

The EGMs described above are merely three examples of different types ofEGMs. Certain of these example EGMs may include one or more elementsthat may not be included in all gaming systems, and these example EGMsmay not include one or more elements that are included in other gamingsystems. For example, certain EGMs include a coin acceptor while othersdo not.

Operation of Primary or Base Games and/or Secondary or Bonus Games

In various embodiments, an EGM may be implemented in one of a variety ofdifferent configurations. In various embodiments, the EGM may beimplemented as one of: (a) a dedicated EGM in which computerized gameprograms executable by the EGM for controlling any primary or base games(referred to herein as “primary games”) and/or any secondary or bonusgames or other functions (referred to herein as “secondary games”)displayed by the EGM are provided with the EGM before delivery to agaming establishment or before being provided to a player; and (b) achangeable EGM in which computerized game programs executable by the EGMfor controlling any primary games and/or secondary games displayed bythe EGM are downloadable or otherwise transferred to the EGM through adata network or remote communication link; from a USB drive, flashmemory card, or other suitable memory device; or in any other suitablemanner after the EGM is physically located in a gaming establishment orafter the EGM is provided to a player.

As generally explained above, in various embodiments in which the gamingsystem includes a central server, central controller, or remote host anda changeable EGM, the at least one memory device of the central server,central controller, or remote host stores different game programs andinstructions executable by the at least one processor of the changeableEGM to control one or more primary games and/or secondary gamesdisplayed by the changeable EGM. More specifically, each such executablegame program represents a different game or a different type of gamethat the at least one changeable EGM is configured to operate. In oneexample, certain of the game programs are executable by the changeableEGM to operate games having the same or substantially the same game playbut different paytables. In different embodiments, each executable gameprogram is associated with a primary game, a secondary game, or both. Incertain embodiments, an executable game program is executable by the atleast one processor of the at least one changeable EGM as a secondarygame to be played simultaneously with a play of a primary game (whichmay be downloaded to or otherwise stored on the at least one changeableEGM), or vice versa.

In operation of such embodiments, the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host is configured to communicate one or more ofthe stored executable game programs to the at least one processor of thechangeable EGM. In different embodiments, a stored executable gameprogram is communicated or delivered to the at least one processor ofthe changeable EGM by: (a) embedding the executable game program in adevice or a component (such as a microchip to be inserted into thechangeable EGM); (b) writing the executable game program onto a disc orother media; or (c) uploading or streaming the executable game programover a data network (such as a dedicated data network). After theexecutable game program is communicated from the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host to the changeable EGM, the at least oneprocessor of the changeable EGM executes the executable game program toenable the primary game and/or the secondary game associated with thatexecutable game program to be played using the display device(s) and/orthe input device(s) of the changeable EGM. That is, when an executablegame program is communicated to the at least one processor of thechangeable EGM, the at least one processor of the changeable EGM changesthe game or the type of game that may be played using the changeableEGM.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system randomly determines any gameoutcome(s) (such as a win outcome) and/or award(s) (such as a quantityof credits to award for the win outcome) for a play of a primary gameand/or a play of a secondary game based on probability data. In certainsuch embodiments, this random determination is provided throughutilization of an RNG, such as a true RNG or a pseudo RNG, or any othersuitable randomization process. In one such embodiment, each gameoutcome or award is associated with a probability, and the gaming systemgenerates the game outcome(s) and/or the award(s) to be provided basedon the associated probabilities. In these embodiments, since the gamingsystem generates game outcomes and/or awards randomly or based on one ormore probability calculations, there is no certainty that the gamingsystem will ever provide any specific game outcome and/or award.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system maintains one or morepredetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes and/orawards. In certain such embodiments, upon generation or receipt of agame outcome and/or award request, the gaming system independentlyselects one of the predetermined game outcomes and/or awards from theone or more pools or sets. The gaming system flags or marks the selectedgame outcome and/or award as used. Once a game outcome or an award isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from itsrespective pool or set; that is, the gaming system does not select thatgame outcome or award upon another game outcome and/or award request.The gaming system provides the selected game outcome and/or award.Examples of this type of award evaluation are described in U.S. Pat. No.7,470,183, entitled “Finite Pool Gaming Method and Apparatus”; U.S. Pat.No. 7,563,163, entitled “Gaming Device Including Outcome Pools forProviding Game Outcomes”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,833,092, entitled “Method andSystem for Compensating for Player Choice in a Game of Chance”; U.S.Pat. No. 8,070,579, entitled “Bingo System with Downloadable CommonPatterns”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,398,472, entitled “Central DeterminationPoker Game”.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system determines a predeterminedgame outcome and/or award based on the results of a bingo, keno, orlottery game. In certain such embodiments, the gaming system utilizesone or more bingo, keno, or lottery games to determine the predeterminedgame outcome and/or award provided for a primary game and/or a secondarygame. The gaming system is provided or associated with a bingo card.Each bingo card consists of a matrix or array of elements, wherein eachelement is designated with separate indicia. After a bingo card isprovided, the gaming system randomly selects or draws a plurality of theelements. As each element is selected, a determination is made as towhether the selected element is present on the bingo card. If theselected element is present on the bingo card, that selected element onthe provided bingo card is marked or flagged. This process of selectingelements and marking any selected elements on the provided bingo cardscontinues until one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one ormore of the provided bingo cards. After one or more predeterminedpatterns are marked on one or more of the provided bingo cards, gameoutcome and/or award is determined based, at least in part, on theselected elements on the provided bingo cards. Examples of this type ofaward determination are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,774, entitled“Using Multiple Bingo Cards to Represent Multiple Slot Paylines andOther Class III Game Options”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,581, entitled“Multi-Player Bingo Game with Multiple Alternative Outcome Displays”;U.S. Pat. No. 7,955,170, entitled “Providing Non-Bingo Outcomes for aBingo Game”; U.S. Pat. No. 8,070,579, entitled “Bingo System withDownloadable Common Patterns”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,538, entitled“Bingo Gaming System and Method for Providing Multiple Outcomes fromSingle Bingo Pattern”.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes a centralserver, central controller, or remote host and an EGM, the EGM isconfigured to communicate with the central server, central controller,or remote host for monitoring purposes only. In such embodiments, theEGM determines the game outcome(s) and/or award(s) to be provided in anyof the manners described above, and the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host monitors the activities and events occurringon the EGM. In one such embodiment, the gaming system includes areal-time or online accounting and gaming information system configuredto communicate with the central server, central controller, or remotehost. In this embodiment, the accounting and gaming information systemincludes: (a) a player database configured to store player profiles, (b)a player tracking module configured to track players (as describedbelow), and (c) a credit system configured to provide automatedtransactions. Examples of such accounting systems are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,913,534, entitled “Gaming Machine Having a Lottery Game andCapability for Integration with Gaming Device Accounting System andPlayer Tracking System,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,597,116, entitled “VirtualPlayer Tracking and Related Services”.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the gaming system includes oneor more executable game programs executable by at least one processor ofthe gaming system to provide one or more primary games and one or moresecondary games. The primary game(s) and the secondary game(s) maycomprise any suitable games and/or wagering games, such as, but notlimited to: electro-mechanical or video slot or spinning reel typegames; video card games such as video draw poker, multi-hand video drawpoker, other video poker games, video blackjack games, and videobaccarat games; video keno games; video bingo games; and video selectiongames.

In certain embodiments in which the primary game is a slot or spinningreel type game, the gaming system includes one or more reels in eitheran electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or in a videoform with simulated reels and movement thereof. Each reel displays aplurality of indicia or symbols, such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers,letters, bars, or other images that typically correspond to a themeassociated with the gaming system. In certain such embodiments, thegaming system includes one or more paylines associated with the reels.The example EGM 2000 b shown in FIG. 5B includes a payline 1152 and aplurality of reels 1154. In certain embodiments, one or more of thereels are independent reels or unisymbol reels. In such embodiments,each independent reel generates and displays one symbol.

In various embodiments, one or more of the paylines is horizontal,vertical, circular, diagonal, angled, or any suitable combinationthereof. In other embodiments, each of one or more of the paylines isassociated with a plurality of adjacent symbol display areas on arequisite number of adjacent reels. In one such embodiment, one or morepaylines are formed between at least two symbol display areas that areadjacent to each other by either sharing a common side or sharing acommon corner (i.e., such paylines are connected paylines). The gamingsystem enables a wager to be placed on one or more of such paylines toactivate such paylines. In other embodiments in which one or morepaylines are formed between at least two adjacent symbol display areas,the gaming system enables a wager to be placed on a plurality of symboldisplay areas, which activates those symbol display areas.

In various embodiments, the gaming system provides one or more awardsafter a spin of the reels when specified types and/or configurations ofthe indicia or symbols on the reels occur on an active payline orotherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on the requisite number ofadjacent reels, and/or occur in a scatter pay arrangement.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system employs a ways to win awarddetermination. In these embodiments, any outcome to be provided isdetermined based on a number of associated symbols that are generated inactive symbol display areas on the requisite number of adjacent reels(i.e., not on paylines passing through any displayed winning symbolcombinations). If a winning symbol combination is generated on thereels, one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbolcombination is provided. Examples of ways to win award determinationsare described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,011, entitled “Gaming Device andMethod Having Independent Reels and Multiple Ways of Winning”; U.S. Pat.No. 8,241,104, entitled “Gaming Device and Method Having DesignatedRules for Determining Ways To Win”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,430,739,entitled “Gaming System and Method Having Wager Dependent DifferentSymbol Evaluations”.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes a progressive award.Typically, a progressive award includes an initial amount and anadditional amount funded through a portion of each wager placed toinitiate a play of a primary game. When one or more triggering eventsoccurs, the gaming system provides at least a portion of the progressiveaward. After the gaming system provides the progressive award, an amountof the progressive award is reset to the initial amount and a portion ofeach subsequent wager is allocated to the next progressive award.Examples of progressive gaming systems are described in U.S. Pat. No.7,585,223, entitled “Server Based Gaming System Having MultipleProgressive Awards”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,392, entitled “Gaming DeviceSystem Having Partial Progressive Payout”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,666,093,entitled “Gaming Method and Device Involving Progressive Wagers”; U.S.Pat. No. 7,780,523, entitled “Server Based Gaming System Having MultipleProgressive Awards”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,298, entitled “GamingDevice Having Multiple Different Types of Progressive Awards”

As generally noted above, in addition to providing winning credits orother awards for one or more plays of the primary game(s), in variousembodiments the gaming system provides credits or other awards for oneor more plays of one or more secondary games. The secondary gametypically enables an award to be obtained addition to any award obtainedthrough play of the primary game(s). The secondary game(s) typicallyproduces a higher level of player excitement than the primary game(s)because the secondary game(s) provides a greater expectation of winningthan the primary game(s) and is accompanied with more attractive orunusual features than the primary game(s). The secondary game(s) may beany type of suitable game, either similar to or completely differentfrom the primary game.

In various embodiments, the gaming system automatically provides orinitiates the secondary game upon the occurrence of a triggering eventor the satisfaction of a qualifying condition. In other embodiments, thegaming system initiates the secondary game upon the occurrence of thetriggering event or the satisfaction of the qualifying condition andupon receipt of an initiation input. In certain embodiments, thetriggering event or qualifying condition is a selected outcome in theprimary game(s) or a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on adisplay device for a play of the primary game(s), such as a “BONUS”symbol appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline following aspin of the reels for a play of the primary game. In other embodiments,the triggering event or qualifying condition occurs based on a certainamount of game play (such as number of games, number of credits, amountof time) being exceeded, or based on a specified number of points beingearned during game play. Any suitable triggering event or qualifyingcondition or any suitable combination of a plurality of differenttriggering events or qualifying conditions may be employed.

In other embodiments, at least one processor of the gaming systemrandomly determines when to provide one or more plays of one or moresecondary games. In one such embodiment, no apparent reason is providedfor providing the secondary game. In this embodiment, qualifying for asecondary game is not triggered by the occurrence of an event in anyprimary game or based specifically on any of the plays of any primarygame. That is, qualification is provided without any explanation or,alternatively, with a simple explanation. In another such embodiment,the gaming system determines qualification for a secondary game at leastpartially based on a game triggered or symbol triggered event, such asat least partially based on play of a primary game.

In various embodiments, after qualification for a secondary game hasbeen determined, the secondary game participation may be enhancedthrough continued play on the primary game. Thus, in certainembodiments, for each secondary game qualifying event, such as asecondary game symbol, that is obtained, a given number of secondarygame wagering points or credits is accumulated in a “secondary gamemeter” configured to accrue the secondary game wagering credits orentries toward eventual participation in the secondary game. In one suchembodiment, the occurrence of multiple such secondary game qualifyingevents in the primary game results in an arithmetic or exponentialincrease in the number of secondary game wagering credits awarded. Inanother such embodiment, any extra secondary game wagering credits maybe redeemed during the secondary game to extend play of the secondarygame.

In certain embodiments, no separate entry fee or buy-in for thesecondary game is required. That is, entry into the secondary gamecannot be purchased; rather, in these embodiments entry must be won orearned through play of the primary game, thereby encouraging play of theprimary game. In other embodiments, qualification for the secondary gameis accomplished through a simple “buy-in.” For example, qualificationthrough other specified activities is unsuccessful, payment of a fee orplacement of an additional wager “buys-in” to the secondary game. Incertain embodiments, a separate side wager must be placed on thesecondary game or a wager of a designated amount must be placed on theprimary game to enable qualification for the secondary game. In theseembodiments, the secondary game triggering event must occur and the sidewager (or designated primary game wager amount) must have been placedfor the secondary game to trigger.

In various embodiments in which the gaming system includes a pluralityof EGMs, the EGMs are configured to communicate with one another toprovide a group gaming environment. In certain such embodiments, theEGMs enable players of those EGMs to work in conjunction with oneanother, such as by enabling the players to play together as a team orgroup, to win one or more awards. In other such embodiments, the EGMsenable players of those EGMs to compete against one another for one ormore awards. In one such embodiment, the EGMs enable the players ofthose EGMs to participate in one or more gaming tournaments for one ormore awards. Examples of group gaming systems are described in U.S. Pat.No. 8,070,583, entitled “Server Based Gaming System and Method forSelectively Providing One or More Different Tournaments”; U.S. Pat. No.8,500,548, entitled “Gaming System and Method for Providing TeamProgressive Awards”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,423, entitled “Method andApparatus for Rewarding Multiple Game Players for a Single Win”.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more playertracking systems. Such player tracking systems enable operators of thegaming system (such as casinos or other gaming establishments) torecognize the value of customer loyalty by identifying frequentcustomers and rewarding them for their patronage. Such a player trackingsystem is configured to track a player's gaming activity. In one suchembodiment, the player tracking system does so through the use of playertracking cards. In this embodiment, a player is issued a playeridentification card that has an encoded player identification numberthat uniquely identifies the player. When the player's playing trackingcard is inserted into a card reader of the gaming system to begin agaming session, the card reader reads the player identification numberoff the player tracking card to identify the player. The gaming systemtimely tracks any suitable information or data relating to theidentified player's gaming session. The gaming system also timely trackswhen the player tracking card is removed to conclude play for thatgaming session. In another embodiment, rather than requiring insertionof a player tracking card into the card reader, the gaming systemutilizes one or more portable devices, such as a mobile phone, a radiofrequency identification tag, or any other suitable wireless device, totrack when a gaming session begins and ends. In another embodiment, thegaming system utilizes any suitable biometric technology or tickettechnology to track when a gaming session begins and ends.

In such embodiments, during one or more gaming sessions, the gamingsystem tracks any suitable information or data, such as any amountswagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time at which these wagersare placed. In different embodiments, for one or more players, theplayer tracking system includes the player's account number, theplayer's card number, the player's first name, the player's surname, theplayer's preferred name, the player's player tracking ranking, anypromotion status associated with the player's player tracking card, theplayer's address, the player's birthday, the player's anniversary, theplayer's recent gaming sessions, or any other suitable data. In variousembodiments, such tracked information and/or any suitable featureassociated with the player tracking system is displayed on a playertracking display. In various embodiments, such tracked informationand/or any suitable feature associated with the player tracking systemis displayed via one or more service windows that are displayed on thecentral display device and/or the upper display device. Examples ofplayer tracking systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,985,entitled “Universal Player Tracking System”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,387,entitled “Player Tracking Communication Mechanisms in a Gaming Machine”;U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,605, entitled “Player Tracking Assembly for CompletePatron Tracking for Both Gaming and Non-Gaming Casino Activity”; U.S.Pat. No. 7,611,411, entitled “Player Tracking Instruments HavingMultiple Communication Modes”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,151, entitled“Alternative Player Tracking Techniques”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,298,entitled “Virtual Player Tracking and Related Services”.

Web-Based Gaming

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more serversconfigured to communicate with a personal gaming device—such as asmartphone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a laptopcomputer—to enable web-based game play using the personal gaming device.In various embodiments, the player must first access a gaming websitevia an Internet browser of the personal gaming device or execute anapplication (commonly called an “app”) installed on the personal gamingdevice before the player can use the personal gaming device toparticipate in web-based game play. In certain embodiments, the one ormore servers and the personal gaming device operate in a thin-clientenvironment. In these embodiments, the personal gaming device receivesinputs via one or more input devices (such as a touch screen and/orphysical buttons), the personal gaming device sends the received inputsto the one or more servers, the one or more servers make variousdeterminations based on the inputs and determine content to be displayed(such as a randomly determined game outcome and corresponding award),the one or more servers send the content to the personal gaming device,and the personal gaming device displays the content.

In certain such embodiments, the one or more servers must identify theplayer before enabling game play on the personal gaming device (or, insome embodiments, before enabling monetary wager-based game play on thepersonal gaming device). In these embodiments, the player must identifyherself to the one or more servers, such as by inputting the player'sunique username and password combination (or in any other mannersdescribed above.

Once identified, the one or more servers enable the player to establishan account balance from which the player can draw credits usable towager on plays of a game. In certain embodiments, the one or moreservers enable the player to initiate an electronic funds transfer totransfer funds from a bank account to the player's account balance. Inother embodiments, the one or more servers enable the player to make apayment using the player's credit card, debit card, or other suitabledevice to add money to the player's account balance. In otherembodiments, the one or more servers enable the player to add money tothe player's account balance via a peer-to-peer type application, suchas PayPal or Venmo. The one or more servers also enable the player tocash out the player's account balance (or part of it) in any suitablemanner, such as via an electronic funds transfer or by initiatingcreation of a paper check that is mailed to the player.

In certain embodiments, the one or more servers include a payment serverthat handles establishing and cashing out players' account balances anda separate game server configured to determine the outcome and anyassociated award for a play of a game. In these embodiments, the gameserver is configured to communicate with the personal gaming device andthe payment device, and the personal gaming device and the paymentdevice are not configured to directly communicate with one another. Inthese embodiments, when the game server receives data representing arequest to start a play of a game at a desired wager, the game serversends data representing the desired wager to the payment server. Thepayment server determines whether the player's account balance can coverthe desired wager (i.e., includes a monetary balance at least equal tothe desired wager).

If the payment server determines that the player's account balancecannot cover the desired wager, the payment server notifies the gameserver, which then instructs the personal gaming device to display asuitable notification to the player that the player's account balance istoo low to place the desired wager. If the payment server determinesthat the player's account balance can cover the desired wager, thepayment server deducts the desired wager from the account balance andnotifies the game server. The game server then determines an outcome andany associated award for the play of the game. The game server notifiesthe payment server of any nonzero award, and the payment serverincreases the player's account balance by the nonzero award. The gameserver sends data representing the outcome and any award to the personalgaming device, which displays the outcome and any award.

In certain embodiments, the one or more servers enable web-based gameplay using a personal gaming device only if the personal gaming devicesatisfies one or more jurisdictional requirements. In one embodiment,the one or more servers enable web-based game play using the personalgaming device only if the personal gaming device is located within adesignated geographic area (such as within certain state or countylines). In this embodiment, the geolocation module of the personalgaming device determines the location of the personal gaming device andsends the location to the one or more servers, which determine whetherthe personal gaming device is located within the designated geographicarea. In various embodiments, the one or more servers enablenon-monetary wager-based game play if the personal gaming device islocated outside of the designated geographic area.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes an EGM configured tocommunicate with a personal gaming device—such as a smartphone, a tabletcomputer, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer—to enable tetheredmobile game play using the personal gaming device. Generally, in theseembodiments, the EGM establishes communication with the personal gamingdevice and enables the player to play games on the EGM remotely via thepersonal gaming device. In certain embodiments, the gaming systemincludes a geo-fence system that enables tethered game play within aparticular geographic area but not outside of that geographic area.Examples of tethering an EGM to a personal gaming device and geo-fencingare described in U.S. Patent Appl. Pub. No. 2013/0267324, entitled“Remote Gaming Method Allowing Temporary Inactivation WithoutTerminating Playing Session Due to Game Inactivity”.

Social Network Integration

In certain embodiments, the gaming system is configured to communicatewith a social network server that hosts or partially hosts a socialnetworking website via a data network (such as the Internet) tointegrate a player's gaming experience with the player's socialnetworking account. This enables the gaming system to send certaininformation to the social network server that the social network servercan use to create content (such as text, an image, and/or a video) andpost it to the player's wall, newsfeed, or similar area of the socialnetworking website accessible by the player's connections (and incertain cases the public) such that the player's connections can viewthat information. This also enables the gaming system to receive certaininformation from the social network server, such as the player's likesor dislikes or the player's list of connections. In certain embodiments,the gaming system enables the player to link the player's player accountto the player's social networking account(s). This enables the gamingsystem to, once it identifies the player and initiates a gaming session(such as via the player logging in to a website (or an application) onthe player's personal gaming device or via the player inserting theplayer's player tracking card into an EGM), link that gaming session tothe player's social networking account(s). In other embodiments, thegaming system enables the player to link the player's social networkingaccount(s) to individual gaming sessions when desired by providing therequired login information.

For instance, in one embodiment, if a player wins a particular award(e.g., a progressive award or a jackpot award) or an award that exceedsa certain threshold (e.g., an award exceeding $1,000), the gaming systemsends information about the award to the social network server to enablethe server to create associated content (such as a screenshot of theoutcome and associated award) and to post that content to the player'swall (or other suitable area) of the social networking website for theplayer's connections to see (and to entice them to play). In anotherembodiment, if a player joins a multiplayer game and there is anotherseat available, the gaming system sends that information to the socialnetwork sever to enable the server to create associated content (such astext indicating a vacancy for that particular game) and to post thatcontent to the player's wall (or other suitable area) of the socialnetworking website for the player's connections to see (and to enticethem to fill the vacancy). In another embodiment, if the playerconsents, the gaming system sends advertisement information or offerinformation to the social network server to enable the social networkserver to create associated content (such as text or an image reflectingan advertisement and/or an offer) and to post that content to theplayer's wall (or other suitable area) of the social networking websitefor the player's connections to see. In another embodiment, the gamingsystem enables the player to recommend a game to the player'sconnections by posting a recommendation to the player's wall (or othersuitable area) of the social networking website.

Differentiating Certain Gaming Systems from General Purpose ComputingDevices

Certain of the gaming systems described herein, such as EGMs located ina casino or another gaming establishment, include certain componentsand/or are configured to operate in certain manners that differentiatethese systems from general purpose computing devices, i.e., certainpersonal gaming devices such as desktop computers and laptop computers.

For instance, EGMs are highly regulated to ensure fairness and, in manycases, EGMs are configured to award monetary awards up to multiplemillions of dollars. To satisfy security and regulatory requirements ina gaming environment, hardware and/or software architectures areimplemented in EGMs that differ significantly from those of generalpurpose computing devices. For purposes of illustration, a descriptionof EGMs relative to general purpose computing devices and some examplesof these additional (or different) hardware and/or softwarearchitectures found in EGMs are described below.

At first glance, one might think that adapting general purpose computingdevice technologies to the gaming industry and EGMs would be a simpleproposition because both general purpose computing devices and EGMsemploy processors that control a variety of devices. However, due to atleast: (1) the regulatory requirements placed on EGMs, (2) the harshenvironment in which EGMs operate, (3) security requirements, and (4)fault tolerance requirements, adapting general purpose computing devicetechnologies to EGMs can be quite difficult. Further, techniques andmethods for solving a problem in the general purpose computing deviceindustry, such as device compatibility and connectivity issues, mightnot be adequate in the gaming industry. For instance, a fault or aweakness tolerated in a general purpose computing device, such assecurity holes in software or frequent crashes, is not tolerated in anEGM because in an EGM these faults can lead to a direct loss of fundsfrom the EGM, such as stolen cash or loss of revenue when the EGM is notoperating properly or when the random outcome determination ismanipulated.

Certain differences between general purpose computing devices and EGMsare described below. A first difference between EGMs and general purposecomputing devices is that EGMs are state-based systems. A state-basedsystem stores and maintains its current state in a non-volatile memorysuch that, in the event of a power failure or other malfunction, thestate-based system can return to that state when the power is restoredor the malfunction is remedied. For instance, for a state-based EGM, ifthe EGM displays an award for a game of chance but the power to the EGMfails before the EGM provides the award to the player, the EGM storesthe pre-power failure state in a non-volatile memory, returns to thatstate upon restoration of power, and provides the award to the player.This requirement affects the software and hardware design on EGMs.General purpose computing devices are not state-based machines, and amajority of data is usually lost when a malfunction occurs on a generalpurpose computing device.

A second difference between EGMs and general purpose computing devicesis that, for regulatory purposes, the software on the EGM utilized tooperate the EGM has been designed to be static and monolithic to preventcheating by the operator of the EGM. For instance, one solution that hasbeen employed in the gaming industry to prevent cheating and to satisfyregulatory requirements has been to manufacture an EGM that can use aproprietary processor running instructions to provide the game of chancefrom an EPROM or other form of non-volatile memory. The codinginstructions on the EPROM are static (non-changeable) and must beapproved by a gaming regulators in a particular jurisdiction andinstalled in the presence of a person representing the gamingjurisdiction. Any changes to any part of the software required togenerate the game of chance, such as adding a new device driver used tooperate a device during generation of the game of chance, can requireburning a new EPROM approved by the gaming jurisdiction and reinstallingthe new EPROM on the EGM in the presence of a gaming regulator.Regardless of whether the EPROM solution is used, to gain approval inmost gaming jurisdictions, an EGM must demonstrate sufficient safeguardsthat prevent an operator or a player of an EGM from manipulating theEGM's hardware and software in a manner that gives him an unfair, and insome cases illegal, advantage.

A third difference between EGMs and general purpose computing devices isauthentication—EGMs storing code are configured to authenticate the codeto determine if the code is unaltered before executing the code. If thecode has been altered, the EGM prevents the code from being executed.The code authentication requirements in the gaming industry affect bothhardware and software designs on EGMs. Certain EGMs use hash functionsto authenticate code. For instance, one EGM stores game program code, ahash function, and an authentication hash (which may be encrypted).Before executing the game program code, the EGM hashes the game programcode using the hash function to obtain a result hash and compares theresult hash to the authentication hash. If the result hash matches theauthentication hash, the EGM determines that the game program code isvalid and executes the game program code. If the result hash does notmatch the authentication hash, the EGM determines that the game programcode has been altered (i.e., may have been tampered with) and preventsexecution of the game program code. Examples of EGM code authenticationare described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,530, entitled “Authentication in aSecure Computerized Gaming System”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,641, entitled“Encryption in a Secure Computerized Gaming System”; U.S. Pat. No.7,201,662, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Software Authentication”;and U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,097, entitled “System and Method EnablingParallel Processing of Hash Functions Using Authentication CheckpointHashes”.

A fourth difference between EGMs and general purpose computing devicesis that EGMs have unique peripheral device requirements that differ fromthose of a general purpose computing device, such as peripheral devicesecurity requirements not usually addressed by general purpose computingdevices. For instance, monetary devices, such as coin dispensers, billvalidators, and ticket printers and computing devices that are used togovern the input and output of cash or other items having monetary value(such as tickets) to and from an EGM have security requirements that arenot typically addressed in general purpose computing devices. Therefore,many general purpose computing device techniques and methods developedto facilitate device connectivity and device compatibility do notaddress the emphasis placed on security in the gaming industry.

To address some of the issues described above, a number ofhardware/software components and architectures are utilized in EGMs thatare not typically found in general purpose computing devices. Thesehardware/software components and architectures, as described below inmore detail, include but are not limited to watchdog timers, voltagemonitoring systems, state-based software architecture and supportinghardware, specialized communication interfaces, security monitoring, andtrusted memory.

Certain EGMs use a watchdog timer to provide a software failuredetection mechanism. In a normally-operating EGM, the operating softwareperiodically accesses control registers in the watchdog timer subsystemto “re-trigger” the watchdog. Should the operating software fail toaccess the control registers within a preset timeframe, the watchdogtimer will timeout and generate a system reset. Typical watchdog timercircuits include a loadable timeout counter register to enable theoperating software to set the timeout interval within a certain range oftime. A differentiating feature of some circuits is that the operatingsoftware cannot completely disable the function of the watchdog timer.In other words, the watchdog timer always functions from the time poweris applied to the board.

Certain EGMs use several power supply voltages to operate portions ofthe computer circuitry. These can be generated in a central power supplyor locally on the computer board. If any of these voltages falls out ofthe tolerance limits of the circuitry they power, unpredictableoperation of the EGM may result. Though most modern general purposecomputing devices include voltage monitoring circuitry, these types ofcircuits only report voltage status to the operating software. Out oftolerance voltages can cause software malfunction, creating a potentialuncontrolled condition in the general purpose computing device. CertainEGMs have power supplies with relatively tighter voltage margins thanthat required by the operating circuitry. In addition, the voltagemonitoring circuitry implemented in certain EGMs typically has twothresholds of control. The first threshold generates a software eventthat can be detected by the operating software and an error conditionthen generated. This threshold is triggered when a power supply voltagefalls out of the tolerance range of the power supply, but is stillwithin the operating range of the circuitry. The second threshold is setwhen a power supply voltage falls out of the operating tolerance of thecircuitry. In this case, the circuitry generates a reset, haltingoperation of the EGM.

As described above, certain EGMs are state-based machines. Differentfunctions of the game provided by the EGM (e.g., bet, play, result,points in the graphical presentation, etc.) may be defined as a state.When the EGM moves a game from one state to another, the EGM storescritical data regarding the game software in a custom non-volatilememory subsystem. This ensures that the player's wager and credits arepreserved and to minimize potential disputes in the event of amalfunction on the EGM. In general, the EGM does not advance from afirst state to a second state until critical information that enablesthe first state to be reconstructed has been stored. This featureenables the EGM to recover operation to the current state of play in theevent of a malfunction, loss of power, etc. that occurred just beforethe malfunction. In at least one embodiment, the EGM is configured tostore such critical information using atomic transactions.

Generally, an atomic operation in computer science refers to a set ofoperations that can be combined so that they appear to the rest of thesystem to be a single operation with only two possible outcomes: successor failure. As related to data storage, an atomic transaction may becharacterized as series of database operations which either all occur,or all do not occur. A guarantee of atomicity prevents updates to thedatabase occurring only partially, which can result in data corruption.

To ensure the success of atomic transactions relating to criticalinformation to be stored in the EGM memory before a failure event (e.g.,malfunction, loss of power, etc.), memory that includes one or more ofthe following criteria be used: direct memory access capability; dataread/write capability which meets or exceeds minimum read/write accesscharacteristics (such as at least 5.08 Mbytes/sec (Read) and/or at least38.0 Mbytes/sec (Write)). Memory devices that meet or exceed the abovecriteria may be referred to as “fault-tolerant” memory devices.

Typically, battery-backed RAM devices may be configured to function asfault-tolerant devices according to the above criteria, whereas flashRAM and/or disk drive memory are typically not configurable to functionas fault-tolerant devices according to the above criteria. Accordingly,battery-backed RAM devices are typically used to preserve EGM criticaldata, although other types of non-volatile memory devices may beemployed. These memory devices are typically not used in typical generalpurpose computing devices.

Thus, in at least one embodiment, the EGM is configured to storecritical information in fault-tolerant memory (e.g., battery-backed RAMdevices) using atomic transactions. Further, in at least one embodiment,the fault-tolerant memory is able to successfully complete all desiredatomic transactions (e.g., relating to the storage of EGM criticalinformation) within a time period of 200 milliseconds or less. In atleast one embodiment, the time period of 200 milliseconds represents amaximum amount of time for which sufficient power may be available tothe various EGM components after a power outage event has occurred atthe EGM.

As described previously, the EGM may not advance from a first state to asecond state until critical information that enables the first state tobe reconstructed has been atomically stored. After the state of the EGMis restored during the play of a game of chance, game play may resumeand the game may be completed in a manner that is no different than ifthe malfunction had not occurred. Thus, for example, when a malfunctionoccurs during a game of chance, the EGM may be restored to a state inthe game of chance just before when the malfunction occurred. Therestored state may include metering information and graphicalinformation that was displayed on the EGM in the state before themalfunction. For example, when the malfunction occurs during the play ofa card game after the cards have been dealt, the EGM may be restoredwith the cards that were previously displayed as part of the card game.As another example, a bonus game may be triggered during the play of agame of chance in which a player is required to make a number ofselections on a video display screen. When a malfunction has occurredafter the player has made one or more selections, the EGM may berestored to a state that shows the graphical presentation just beforethe malfunction including an indication of selections that have alreadybeen made by the player. In general, the EGM may be restored to anystate in a plurality of states that occur in the game of chance thatoccurs while the game of chance is played or to states that occurbetween the play of a game of chance.

Game history information regarding previous games played such as anamount wagered, the outcome of the game, and the like may also be storedin a non-volatile memory device. The information stored in thenon-volatile memory may be detailed enough to reconstruct a portion ofthe graphical presentation that was previously presented on the EGM andthe state of the EGM (e.g., credits) at the time the game of chance wasplayed. The game history information may be utilized in the event of adispute. For example, a player may decide that in a previous game ofchance that they did not receive credit for an award that they believedthey won. The game history information may be used to reconstruct thestate of the EGM before, during, and/or after the disputed game todemonstrate whether the player was correct or not in the player'sassertion. Examples of a state-based EGM, recovery from malfunctions,and game history are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,804,763, entitled“High Performance Battery Backed RAM Interface”; U.S. Pat. No.6,863,608, entitled “Frame Capture of Actual Game Play”; U.S. Pat. No.7,111,141, entitled “Dynamic NV-RAM”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,339,entitled, “Frame Capture of Actual Game Play”.

Another feature of EGMs is that they often include unique interfaces,including serial interfaces, to connect to specific subsystems internaland external to the EGM. The serial devices may have electricalinterface requirements that differ from the “standard” EIA serialinterfaces provided by general purpose computing devices. Theseinterfaces may include, for example, Fiber Optic Serial, opticallycoupled serial interfaces, current loop style serial interfaces, etc. Inaddition, to conserve serial interfaces internally in the EGM, serialdevices may be connected in a shared, daisy-chain fashion in whichmultiple peripheral devices are connected to a single serial channel.

The serial interfaces may be used to transmit information usingcommunication protocols that are unique to the gaming industry. Forexample, IGT's Netplex is a proprietary communication protocol used forserial communication between EGMs. As another example, SAS is acommunication protocol used to transmit information, such as meteringinformation, from an EGM to a remote device. Often SAS is used inconjunction with a player tracking system.

Certain EGMs may alternatively be treated as peripheral devices to acasino communication controller and connected in a shared daisy chainfashion to a single serial interface. In both cases, the peripheraldevices are assigned device addresses. If so, the serial controllercircuitry must implement a method to generate or detect unique deviceaddresses. General purpose computing device serial ports are not able todo this.

Security monitoring circuits detect intrusion into an EGM by monitoringsecurity switches attached to access doors in the EGM cabinet. Accessviolations result in suspension of game play and can trigger additionalsecurity operations to preserve the current state of game play. Thesecircuits also function when power is off by use of a battery backup. Inpower-off operation, these circuits continue to monitor the access doorsof the EGM. When power is restored, the EGM can determine whether anysecurity violations occurred while power was off, e.g., via software forreading status registers. This can trigger event log entries and furtherdata authentication operations by the EGM software.

Trusted memory devices and/or trusted memory sources are included in anEGM to ensure the authenticity of the software that may be stored onless secure memory subsystems, such as mass storage devices. Trustedmemory devices and controlling circuitry are typically designed to notenable modification of the code and data stored in the memory devicewhile the memory device is installed in the EGM. The code and datastored in these devices may include authentication algorithms, randomnumber generators, authentication keys, operating system kernels, etc.The purpose of these trusted memory devices is to provide gamingregulatory authorities a root trusted authority within the computingenvironment of the EGM that can be tracked and verified as original.This may be accomplished via removal of the trusted memory device fromthe EGM computer and verification of the secure memory device contentsis a separate third party verification device. Once the trusted memorydevice is verified as authentic, and based on the approval of theverification algorithms included in the trusted device, the EGM isenabled to verify the authenticity of additional code and data that maybe located in the gaming computer assembly, such as code and data storedon hard disk drives. Examples of trusted memory devices are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,685,567, entitled “Process Verification”.

In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the trusted memorydevices/sources may correspond to memory that cannot easily be altered(e.g., “unalterable memory”) such as EPROMS, PROMS, Bios, Extended Bios,and/or other memory sources that are able to be configured, verified,and/or authenticated (e.g., for authenticity) in a secure and controlledmanner.

According to one embodiment, when a trusted information source is incommunication with a remote device via a network, the remote device mayemploy a verification scheme to verify the identity of the trustedinformation source. For example, the trusted information source and theremote device may exchange information using public and privateencryption keys to verify each other's identities. In anotherembodiment, the remote device and the trusted information source mayengage in methods using zero knowledge proofs to authenticate each oftheir respective identities.

EGMs storing trusted information may utilize apparatuses or methods todetect and prevent tampering. For instance, trusted information storedin a trusted memory device may be encrypted to prevent its misuse. Inaddition, the trusted memory device may be secured behind a locked door.Further, one or more sensors may be coupled to the memory device todetect tampering with the memory device and provide some record of thetampering. In yet another example, the memory device storing trustedinformation might be designed to detect tampering attempts and clear orerase itself when an attempt at tampering has been detected. Examples oftrusted memory devices/sources are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,515,718,entitled “Secured Virtual Network in a Gaming Environment”.

Mass storage devices used in a general purpose computing devicestypically enable code and data to be read from and written to the massstorage device. In a gaming environment, modification of the gaming codestored on a mass storage device is strictly controlled and would only beenabled under specific maintenance type events with electronic andphysical enablers required. Though this level of security could beprovided by software, EGMs that include mass storage devices includehardware level mass storage data protection circuitry that operates atthe circuit level to monitor attempts to modify data on the mass storagedevice and will generate both software and hardware error triggersshould a data modification be attempted without the proper electronicand physical enablers being present. Examples of using a mass storagedevice are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,522, entitled “Method ofAuthenticating Game Data Sets in an Electronic Casino Gaming System”.

Various changes and modifications to the present embodiments describedherein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present subject matter and without diminishing its intendedadvantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modificationsbe covered by the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A system comprising: a processor; and a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to a fund request made when an amount of funds associated with a first edge account is less than an requested amount of funds, when an amount of funds associated with a central account is less than the requested amount of funds and when an amount of funds associated with a second edge account is at least equal to the requested amount of funds, cause the processor to communicate data that results in the requested amount of funds being automatically transferred first from the second edge account to the first edge and then from the first edge account to a gaming establishment component.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one the first edge account and the second edge account comprises any of a gaming establishment retail account, a gaming establishment cashless wagering account, and a gaming establishment line of credit account.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the gaming establishment component comprises any of a point-of-sale terminal, and an electronic gaming machine.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the central account comprises a gaming establishment fund management account.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory device stores a plurality of further instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to the fund request being made when the amount of funds associated with the first edge account is at least equal to the requested amount of funds, cause the processor to communicate data that results in the requested amount of funds being transferred from the first edge account to the gaming establishment component.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory device stores a plurality of further instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to the fund request being made when the amount of funds associated with the first edge account is less than the requested amount of funds and when the amount of funds associated with the central account is at least equal to the requested amount of funds, cause the processor to communicate data that results in the requested amount of funds being automatically transferred first from the central account to the first edge account and then from the first edge account to the gaming establishment component.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the amount of funds associated with the central account are automatically transferred to the central account responsive to an automatic account transfer event occurring in association with the second edge account.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the automatic account transfer event occurs based on at least one of an inactivity condition being satisfied with the second edge account, and the amount of funds associated with the second edge account exceeding a threshold maximum amount of funds.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory device stores a plurality of further instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to the fund request being made when the amount of funds associated with the first edge account is less than the requested amount of funds, when the amount of funds associated with the central account is less than the requested amount of funds, when the amount of funds associated with the second edge account is less than the requested amount of funds, and after a transfer of a first portion of the requested amount of funds from the second edge account to the first edge account, cause the processor to communicate data that results in a second portion of the requested amount of funds being automatically transferred from a third edge account to the first edge account.
 10. A system comprising: a processor; and a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to an automatic account transfer event occurring in association with an edge gaming establishment account, cause the processor to automatically communicate data that results in an amount of funds being transferred from the edge gaming establishment account to a central gaming establishment account.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the edge gaming establishment account and the central gaming establishment account comprises any of a gaming establishment retail account, a gaming establishment cashless wagering account, and a gaming establishment line of credit account.
 12. A method of operating a system, the method comprising: responsive to a fund request made when an amount of funds associated with a first edge account is less than an requested amount of funds, when an amount of funds associated with a central account is less than the requested amount of funds and when an amount of funds associated with a second edge account is at least equal to the requested amount of funds, communicating, by a processor, data that results in the requested amount of funds being automatically transferred first from the second edge account to the first edge and then from the first edge account to a gaming establishment component.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one the first edge account and the second edge account comprises any of a gaming establishment retail account, a gaming establishment cashless wagering account, and a gaming establishment line of credit account.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the gaming establishment component comprises any of a point-of-sale terminal, and an electronic gaming machine.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the central account comprises a gaming establishment fund management account.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising, responsive to the fund request being made when the amount of funds associated with the first edge account is at least equal to the requested amount of funds, communicating, by the processor, data that results in the requested amount of funds being transferred from the first edge account to the gaming establishment component.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising, responsive to the fund request being made when the amount of funds associated with the first edge account is less than the requested amount of funds and when the amount of funds associated with the central account is at least equal to the requested amount of funds, communicating, by the processor, data that results in the requested amount of funds being automatically transferred first from the central account to the first edge account and then from the first edge account to the gaming establishment component.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the amount of funds associated with the central account are automatically transferred to the central account responsive to an automatic account transfer event occurring in association with the second edge account.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the automatic account transfer event occurs based on at least one of an inactivity condition being satisfied with the second edge account, and the amount of funds associated with the second edge account exceeding a threshold maximum amount of funds.
 20. The method of claim 12, further comprising, responsive to the fund request being made when the amount of funds associated with the first edge account is less than the requested amount of funds, when the amount of funds associated with the central account is less than the requested amount of funds, when the amount of funds associated with the second edge account is less than the requested amount of funds, and after a transfer of a first portion of the requested amount of funds from the second edge account to the first edge account, communicating, by the processor, data that results in a second portion of the requested amount of funds being automatically transferred from a third edge account to the first edge account. 